Iran - nuclear

Iran rejects enrichment deal according to French Foreign Minister

Article published on the 2009-11-15 Latest update 2009-11-16 17:08 TU

The Iranian parliament in Tehran on 15 November.
(Photo: Reuters)

Iran has effectively turned down a deal brokered by the UN nuclear watchdog aimed at dealing with concerns over the Islamic Republic’s enrichment of uranium. In an interview with an Israeli newspaper on Sunday French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said, “the answer has almost been given and it is negative.”

Kouchner added that it was a “shame” and although there had been a number of attempts to reach a deal, “none of those meetings were particularly successful”.

It is three weeks since the International Atomic Energy Agency tabled an agreement under which other countries would help Iran enrich the uranium it requires for civil use.

US President Barack Obama also expressed disappointment with the progress on the Iranian nuclear issue on Sunday.

During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Singapore Obama said, “unfortunately, so far at least, Iran has been unable to say yes”.

Moscow agreed with the US position and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was, “not completely happy about the pace” of negotiations.

He added that, “as reasonable politicians, we understand that any process should have a final point”.

Iran faces new sanctions if it does not agree to the deal.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres criticised Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.

During his visit to Brazil, Peres said he did not think Iran’s President “has a future” and he needs to have “a positive message for his people and for the world" instead of buying "influence, places and people".

Ahmadinejad will visit Brazil in just over a week’s time.