Iran foreign minister hopeful for nuclear fuel deal amid Tehran’s latest diplomatic push
By APTuesday, April 27, 2010
Iran FM hopeful for nuke fuel deal
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s foreign minister has expressed optimism that a deal on providing Tehran with nuclear fuel will soon be struck with the international community.
Manouchehr Mottaki’s remarks on Tuesday are part of a new diplomatic push to stave off more sanctions over Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
Mottaki says he hopes to “see fuel exchange go into operation in the near future.” He spoke after talks with visiting Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim.
Iran last year rejected a U.N.-backed plan that offered nuclear fuel rods to a Tehran reactor in exchange for Iran’s stock of lower-level enriched uranium. The swap would have curbed Iran’s capacity to make a nuclear bomb.
The West fears Tehran’s nuclear program aims to build weapons. Iran denies the charge.
