US to review Iran-Turkey nuclear swap deal
May 25th, 2010 - 3:48 am ICT by IANSWashington, May 25 (DPA) The United States will review Iran’s proposal to ship enriched uranium to Turkey and plans to consult with France and Russia on the next steps, the US State Department said Monday.
Iran along with Brazil and Turkey submitted the letter to the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, earlier Monday outlining the deal intended to alleviate concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities and stave off potential sanctions.
“It’s unclear if the letter truly offers anything new,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. “But we will study it closely, and we’ll respond formally through the IAEA in the next few days”.
The United States and its allies have drawn up a sanctions resolution currently being considered by the UN Security Council to punish Iran for its nuclear programme.
The US suspects Iran is using the programme to develop weapons - charges Tehran rejects.
Brazil and Turkey mediated the agreement, but the United States and other countries believe it does not go far enough to address the full range of Iran’s activities, including plans to continue enriching uranium.
The deal was based on one worked out between the United States, France and Russia and offered to Iran in October, but Tehran’s refusal to accept the terms in the months since prompted Washington to push for Security Council sanctions.
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Tags: allies, atomic energy agency, crowley, enriching uranium, few days, IAEA, international atomic energy, international atomic energy agency, iran, nuclear activities, proposal, sanctions, state department spokesman, swap deal, tehran, un security council, us state department, vienna, watchdog, weapons