Iran suggest possible concession for nuclear programme

During talks with world authorities deeply suspicious of its nuclear programme, Iranian heads indicate the possibility of a compromise offer.

The offer includes scaling back uranium enrichment but the ability to make nuclear fuel was not dismissed.  

Despite the fact that sanction-battered Iran could be ready to bargain, the offer seems to fall short of Western demands for the country to hand over its most potent nuclear material.

Talks to be held in Istanbul are to include Iran, five permanent United Nations Security Council nations and Germany and will negotiate Tehran’s nuclear programme for the first time since a collapse in negotiations more than 14 months ago.

The primary issue to be discussed is the fact that Iran has blatantly refused to close its uranium enrichment labs since it is considered to be a proud symbol of its scientific advances and technological self-sufficiency.

Despite repeated claims that the nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, the US and its allies insist the same sites could eventually be used to produce weapons-grade material.

Iranian nuclear chief Fereidoun Abbasi on Sunday said that the production of the 20% enriched uranium needed for a research reactor, used for medical research and treatments could eventually be stopped.

However, Abbasi added that even should this happen, Iran would continue to enrich uranium to lower levels of about 3.5% for power generation.