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Iran responds positively to new proposals

Atul Aneja

Compromise formula moots allowing Teheran to pursue uranium enrichment for research

DUBAI: As Iran engages the European Union (E.U.) and Russia in talks, new proposals are being put on the table that could help defuse the crisis surrounding Teheran's nuclear programme.

The first indications that new avenues are being sought to ease tensions have come from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohammad ElBaradei.

Outlining a new compromise formula to end the immediate crisis, Mr. ElBaradei has been quoted as saying that the West should allow Iran to pursue uranium enrichment for research purposes only. Iran, on its part, should not begin industrial scale production of enriched uranium as it has threatened to do after the IAEA board reported its case to the U.N. Security Council on February 4.

Iran has so far responded positively to Mr. ElBaradei's suggestions to defuse the crisis.

Briefing the media in Brussels where he held talks with top E.U. officials, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the IAEA chief's proposal was a "step forward".

He added, "If we reach some compromise, we continue our preparation from where we are now. That is, the research department will continue its activity."

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