BRUSSELS (AP) — Six world powers are urging Iran to accept a U.N. plan intended to delay its ability to build a nuclear weapon.
Senior diplomats from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany met in Brussels today. An EU official says the group made no mention of imposing sanctions against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities. The official said the group felt it was "not the right time for it."
Meanwhile in Berlin, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency is pressing Iran to work with the international community. Mohamed El-Baradei (ehl-BEHR'-uh-day) says he'd "hate to see" the issue move back to a question of sanctions, because sanctions won't resolve it.
El-Baradei says Iranian officials have told him they won't send uranium abroad for reprocessing unless they first receive promised fuel rods. The rods can power reactors but cannot be readily turned into weapons-grade material.
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<<CUT …179 (11/20/09)>> 00:12 "measures against Tehran"
Slobodan Lekic (SLOH'-buh-dahn LEH'-kich)
AP correspondent Slobodan Lekic reports that there's growing international pressure on Iran.
<<CUT …180 (11/20/09)>> 00:17 "Atomic Energy Agency"
Slobodan Lekic (SLOH'-buh-dahn LEH'-kich)
AP correspondent Slobodan Lekic reports no new policy decisions are expected from the six-party meeting on Iran's nuclear activities.
<<CUT …177 (11/20/09)>> 00:12 "opportunity to engage"
Mohamed ElBaradei (moh-HAH'-mehd ehl-BEHR'-uh-day)
Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program can be solved.
<<CUT …178 (11/20/09)>> 00:09 "a win-win situation"
Mohamed ElBaradei (moh-HAH'-mehd ehl-BEHR'-uh-day)
Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says the world has a lot to gain by reaching an agreement with Tehran.
