Representatives from France, Germany, and the U.K. couldn’t agree to Iran’s refusal of a European proposal for indefinite suspension of uranium enrichment, IRNA said, citing an unidentified official in Paris. Iran, which halted its nuclear program in October 2003, proposed extending the suspension for six months, the news agency said yesterday.
The meeting in Paris, which began Nov. 5, is the third to be held between European and Iranian officials as they seek to find a solution to Iran’s nuclear program before the International Atomic Energy Agency meets on Nov. 25. Failure to negotiate a settlement may lead the U.S. to seek UN sanctions on Iran. The U.S. suspects Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful uses.
The European Union is leading efforts to persuade Iran to indefinitely suspend its uranium enrichment and allow for IAEA verification. In exchange, the EU is offering Iran civil nuclear reactor technology and the removal of trade barriers.
