Russia hopes Iran will react positively to an initiative to hold a meeting of experts from Russia, France, the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency on fuel supplies for the Teheran research rector, the Russian Foreign Minister said.
"Russia, the United States and France suggested that the IAEA Director General [Yukiya Amano] organize a meeting of technical experts from our three countries and Iran to solve issues of fuel supplies for the Teheran research reactor, with the understanding that Iran will halt enriching [uranium] to 20 percent," Sergei Lavrov said.
"I expect Iran to respond positively, as it will resolve a difficult situation," the minister said.
Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons and the UN Security Council approved on June 9 the fourth round of economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban and a travel freeze on more than three dozen companies and individuals.
Following the resolution, the United States and the European Union also announced that they were imposing new sanctions on Iran.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is aimed at generating peaceful civilian energy
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday Tehran would put off talks with the Iran Six (Russia, the United States, Britain, France, Germany and China) over its nuclear program until the end of August to "punish" the West for imposing fresh economic sanctions.
Also on Monday Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was worried about U.S. secret intelligence data showing that Iran has enough enriched uranium to construct two nuclear bombs.
Shortly before the sanctions were approved, the Iranian, Brazilian, and Turkish foreign ministers agreed that Iran will swap in Turkey most of its 3.5%-enriched uranium for 20%-enriched fuel for use in its Tehran scientific research reactor.
MOSCOW, June 29 (RIA Novosti)
