France warns on Iran nuclear deal

The deal would see Iran exporting its uranium for enrichment

France has warned that Iran is not responding positively to a proposed deal over its nuclear enrichment plans.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, a UN agency, had suggested exporting most of Iran's enriched uranium to Russia and France for further refining.

As the deadline neared for Iran to respond to the draft agreement, Iranian TV reported that Iran would prefer to buy uranium for its research reactor.

The French foreign minister said "matters are not very positive."

The draft deal was aimed at reducing international concern over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Deadline disappointment
Under the deal, Iran would get the fuel it needs for its research reactor in Tehran, but would not have enough uranium to make a bomb.

The plan followed talks between the UN, Iran, France, Russia and the US.

The other countries approved it, and Friday was set as the deadline for a response from Iran.

There has been no final official response from Iran, but a report on Iranian TV quoted a member of Iran's negotiating team saying: "Iran is interested in buying fuel for the Tehran research reactor within the framework of a clear proposal... we are waiting for the other party's constructive and trust-building response."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said, according to the Lebanese National News Agency: "I cannot say that the situation regarding Iran is very positive.

"Now, meetings are being held in Vienna (the IAEA headquarters). But via the indications we are receiving, matters are not very positive."

Iran's rejection of the deal would come as a disappointment to the US, Russia and France, and it could make the wider negotiation with Iran much more difficult - and the threat of sanctions more likely, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna.

Enrichment in Russia
Russian nuclear industry insiders have told the BBC the proposed process would involve Iran sending its uranium to the IAEA, which would forward it to Russia for enriching.

The enriched uranium would then be returned to the IAEA and sent to France, which has the technology to add the "cell elements" needed for Iran's reactor, they said.

This process would enable Iran to obtain enough enriched uranium for its research reactor and for medical use, but not enough to produce a weapon.

Exporting uranium has been seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it needs, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and that it has the right to enrich uranium.

BBC