Tuesday, June 19, 2012

World powers begin talks with Iran over Teheran’s nuclear program

Six major world powers- USA, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany began the crucial third round of talks with Iran in Moscow over Teheran’s controversial nuclear program. Iran's 20 percent uranium enrichment is the priority issue in the Moscow round of talks. Ahead of the talks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said that Teheran is ready to suspend its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent if Europe guarantees delivery of nuclear fuel for its reactors. The statement was posted on his official website.

With barely 10 days left for a full fledged embargo on sale of Iranian oil by the European Union and USA, stakes are high for both the sides to clinch a deal. However the western nations and Iran have been sticking to their stand. Western nations have asked Iran to halt the production of high-grade uranium which can be used to make nuclear weapons, shipment of enriched uranium to other countries and stopping uranium enrichment at Fordow plant. In return they have promised Iran increased nuclear co-operation, supply of spare parts for Iranian aircraft fleet and lifting ban on tankers insurance which supplies Iranian oil to Asia. Teheran has rejected the measures are insufficient. It says the rights of nuclear enrichment are non negotiable and has demanded lifting of sanctions on sale of Iranian oil. In this backdrop, a lot depends upon the outcome of Moscow round of talks whether the two sides would be able to bridge the divide over Teheran’s nuclear program.

Courtesy: AIR 

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