Tehran says nuclear deal reached but Moscow insists "serious steps" are needed
The Russian envoy has talked about a basic agreement but reiterated that Iran must supply "objective guarantees" that its nuclear development will not be diverted to arms production.
Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) Iraq has yet to take "serious steps" if an agreement between Moscow and Tehran about nuclear energy enrichment is to be reached: the statement of Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's atomic energy agency, puts into perspective the emphasis placed by Tehran on the announcement of a now concrete, basic agreement on the problem, which pits Ahmadinejad's country against the UN agency for atomic energy (IAEA).
The agreement, according to news broadcast by Tehran, should stipulate that the uranium enrichment process will take place in Moscow, allow Iranian activities and extend to "other sectors".
IRNA, the official Iranian agency, today emphasized the conviction expressed by Kiriyenko that the nuclear controversy could be resolved without recourse to the UN Security Council. The controversy involves the USA, Europe, Russia and China opposing the potentially military development of Iranian nuclear plans. "Russia believes is another of the phrases of the Moscow negotiator underlined by the Iranians that Iran has legitimate right to use nuclear energy. Of course, Iran is also ready to provide the international community with 'objective guarantee' to ensure that the Iranian nuclear program will not be diverted to produce weapons."
Even if news of the basic agreement has already made oil prices drop on Asian markets despite concerns about attacks against the main oil plant in Saudi Arabia to a little more than 62 dollars, international attention has not diminished. It is on the agenda of today's meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, and it will be tackled by the Japanese in talks they will hold with the Iranian foreign affairs minister, Manouchehr Mottaki. The minister arrived in Tokyo today for a three-day visit, which is part of a tour the head of Iranian diplomacy is undertaking to distance the threat of referral of its country to the UN Security Council.
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