Iran 'to send uranium to France, Russia'
Iran reportedly agrees in principle to draft deal to send low-enriched uranium to Russia and France
Wednesday, 21, Oct 2009 05:52
By Matthew Champion.
Iran has reportedly agreed in principle to a draft deal that would defuse tensions over its nuclear programme.
On the third day of talks in Vienna led by the United Nation's nuclear watchdog, a draft deal was submitted to Iran and three world powers for approval.
Under the proposals from International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Mohamed ElBaradei, Iran would send most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France to be converted into fuel for a nuclear medicine facility in Tehran.
Western powers, led by the US supported by France and the UK, have consistently accused Iran of refining uranium to a sufficient level of purity to create nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists its nuclear programme is strictly for civilian energy purposes, however.
Speaking ahead of Friday's deadline to officially accept Mr ElBaradei's plans, Iran's IAEA ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh said: "We have to thoroughly study this text and come back and reflect our opinion and suggestions or comments in order to have an amicable solution at the end of the day.
"We welcome this event, we are fully cooperating."
Mr ElBaradei himself added: "I have circulated a draft agreement that in my judgement reflects a balanced approach to how to move forward. The deadline for the parties to give, I hope, an affirmation action is Friday.
"I cross my fingers that by Friday we have an OK by all the parties concerned."