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Powers to hold Iran nuclear talks | Powers to hold Iran nuclear talks |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The US is to host a meeting of major world powers to discuss plans for a new round of sanctions against Iran over its contentious nuclear programme. | The US is to host a meeting of major world powers to discuss plans for a new round of sanctions against Iran over its contentious nuclear programme. |
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, will meet in Washington on 21 September. | The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, will meet in Washington on 21 September. |
Iran denies accusations it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and has recently renewed co-operation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. | Iran denies accusations it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and has recently renewed co-operation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA. |
But it refuses Western demands to end its programme of uranium enrichment. | But it refuses Western demands to end its programme of uranium enrichment. |
Speaking on Wednesday after a renewed call from the European Union for an end to enrichment, Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator said only "new initiatives" would lead to a diplomatic breakthrough. | Speaking on Wednesday after a renewed call from the European Union for an end to enrichment, Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator said only "new initiatives" would lead to a diplomatic breakthrough. |
"We say that new possibilities should be explored... and we should not go back on the past," Ali Larijani said, referring to a previous temporary suspension of enrichment. | "We say that new possibilities should be explored... and we should not go back on the past," Ali Larijani said, referring to a previous temporary suspension of enrichment. |
The Security Council has already imposed two rounds of sanctions on Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment. | The Security Council has already imposed two rounds of sanctions on Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment. |
'No need' for bomb | |
Iran president defiant | |
In an interview with British television Iran's president, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, asked why Iran should stop an activity in which the United States and Britain were also engaged. | |
He also reiterated that Iran had no desire to build a nuclear bomb, which he said would not be in its political interests. | |
"The main problem is the enmity of America towards Iran. From the beginning we said that everything should be solved by the (International Atomic Energy) Agency. We do not need a bomb," he told Channel 4 News. | |
'Interference' | |
Iran resumed co-operation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in August after agreeing a plan to clear up unresolved issues relating to its past nuclear activities. | Iran resumed co-operation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in August after agreeing a plan to clear up unresolved issues relating to its past nuclear activities. |
But, referring to the continued threat of sanctions, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, denounced continuing interference by the West. | But, referring to the continued threat of sanctions, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, denounced continuing interference by the West. |
"Politically motivated interference will definitely jeopardise this new constructive trend," he said. | "Politically motivated interference will definitely jeopardise this new constructive trend," he said. |
"Therefore, we expect the international community to be aware of this fact that now Iran has done its part and now we expect the others want to show their political goodwill." | "Therefore, we expect the international community to be aware of this fact that now Iran has done its part and now we expect the others want to show their political goodwill." |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also called for Iran to suspend its enrichment work, not simply co-operate with UN inspectors. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also called for Iran to suspend its enrichment work, not simply co-operate with UN inspectors. |
And a number of Western diplomats have criticised the IAEA plan, accusing Iran of trying to delay the imposition of further UN sanctions while increasing its nuclear capabilities. | And a number of Western diplomats have criticised the IAEA plan, accusing Iran of trying to delay the imposition of further UN sanctions while increasing its nuclear capabilities. |
Enriched uranium can be used for civilian nuclear power stations but can also provide fissile material for nuclear bombs. | Enriched uranium can be used for civilian nuclear power stations but can also provide fissile material for nuclear bombs. |
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