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30/01/2006
Straw hosts Iran nuclear talks
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will host talks today ahead of a meeting later this week that is almost certain to see the matter of Iran's resumption of its nuclear development programme referred to the United Nations Security Council.
Ministers from France, Germany, Russia, the US and China are among those attending informal talks at which Iranian diplomats hope will avert an international crisis.
While no firm decisions are expected to be reached, the talks will nonetheless be used to set the tone at a later meeting of the International Atomic Energy Committee this week.
Following Iran's announcement that work was recommencing at the Natanz nuclear facility, and fears that the plant may be assisting an Iranian effort to develop a nuclear weapons capability, some countries will be pressing for sanctions on Iran.
The IAEC will be considering a move to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for the imposition of sanctions, or at least informing the UN of Tehran's failure to comply with a suspension on its nuclear programme.
Influential US figures are concerned that Iran, which has declared its nuclear programme as being for civilian energy only, is aiming to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran has called a Brussels meeting in an attempt to persuade the EU three that the UN Security Council do not need to be involved.
The five permanent UN Security Council members, Britain, France, the US, Russia and China will be examining action.
However, Russia and China are in favour of granting Iran more time in the face of a lack of international consensus on the matter.
Russia has gone as far as offering to enrich uranium for Iran, a move which Tehran views as conciliatory, but which opponents consider to be a fudge.
(SP)
Ministers from France, Germany, Russia, the US and China are among those attending informal talks at which Iranian diplomats hope will avert an international crisis.
While no firm decisions are expected to be reached, the talks will nonetheless be used to set the tone at a later meeting of the International Atomic Energy Committee this week.
Following Iran's announcement that work was recommencing at the Natanz nuclear facility, and fears that the plant may be assisting an Iranian effort to develop a nuclear weapons capability, some countries will be pressing for sanctions on Iran.
The IAEC will be considering a move to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for the imposition of sanctions, or at least informing the UN of Tehran's failure to comply with a suspension on its nuclear programme.
Influential US figures are concerned that Iran, which has declared its nuclear programme as being for civilian energy only, is aiming to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran has called a Brussels meeting in an attempt to persuade the EU three that the UN Security Council do not need to be involved.
The five permanent UN Security Council members, Britain, France, the US, Russia and China will be examining action.
However, Russia and China are in favour of granting Iran more time in the face of a lack of international consensus on the matter.
Russia has gone as far as offering to enrich uranium for Iran, a move which Tehran views as conciliatory, but which opponents consider to be a fudge.
(SP)
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17 October 2003
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
02 November 2007
London Summit On Iran Threat
Iran’s emerging nuclear threat is on the agenda for a high-powered meeting today in London. Representatives of the world’s major powers are to discuss the possible tightening of sanctions on Iran if it does not halt its nuclear programme.
London Summit On Iran Threat
Iran’s emerging nuclear threat is on the agenda for a high-powered meeting today in London. Representatives of the world’s major powers are to discuss the possible tightening of sanctions on Iran if it does not halt its nuclear programme.
11 November 2003
Iran agrees to IAEA demands on nuclear inspections
Iran has acceded to demands by the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to allow on-the-spot inspections and to suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities following concerns over its possible development of nuclear weapons.
Iran agrees to IAEA demands on nuclear inspections
Iran has acceded to demands by the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to allow on-the-spot inspections and to suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities following concerns over its possible development of nuclear weapons.
01 October 2003
IAEA urges 'full disclosure' on Iranian nuclear programme
With the clock ticking towards a “decisive” and “non-negotiable” deadline of 31 October, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency today called on Iran to provide “full transparency and full disclosure” to corroborate its assertions that it is not seeking to produce nuclear weapons.
IAEA urges 'full disclosure' on Iranian nuclear programme
With the clock ticking towards a “decisive” and “non-negotiable” deadline of 31 October, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency today called on Iran to provide “full transparency and full disclosure” to corroborate its assertions that it is not seeking to produce nuclear weapons.
03 November 2003
IAEA 'making good progress' on Iran's nuclear programme
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency has said that its verification work in Iran was "making good progress", a week after Tehran turned over a dossier on its nuclear activities.
IAEA 'making good progress' on Iran's nuclear programme
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency has said that its verification work in Iran was "making good progress", a week after Tehran turned over a dossier on its nuclear activities.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
