Report: Source reveals details of Iranian offer at nuclear talks
Plan includes halt on production of enriched uranium, vow to convert arsenal of fuel rods, pledge to hand over used nuclear fuel.
By JPOST.COM STAFFgeneva iran talks oct 15 370(photo credit: REUTERS)
Iran has reportedly proposed a new offer on its nuclear program to increase confidence that it would remain bound to requirements to ensure it doesn't produce nuclear weapons, Al-Monitor on Thursday cited an Iranian sources as saying.According to the source, the Islamic Republic's proposal to world powers during recent talks in Geneva included a halt on the production of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium, a vow to convert its arsenal of fuel rods and a pledge to hand over used nuclear fuel for an unfinished heavy water reactor.The package, presented by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, also allegedly allows for increased monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The offer supposedly consists of two stages, each to last at least six months, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the secrecy surrounding the Geneva talks, told Al-Monitor.Iran, in the first stage of the plan, would reportedly cease production of 20% enriched uranium and "try to convert the stock" so-far amassed to fuel rods for a research reactor.Other elements of the proposal supposedly include: Iran's willingness to relinquish more information on the Arak heavy water reactor; allowance of full inspection of the Fordow underground enrichment plant; engagement in talks on curbing the scope of production at the Natanz enrichment plant; and Iran's endorsement of the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.Despite the various ideas presented, Al-Monitor stated that the plan did not meet various demands made previously by the United States, such as its insistence that Tehran to remove its stock of 20% enriched uranium from the country.The Middle East news site listed other calls made by the US that the plan did not address, like the complete suspension of activity at Frodow and Arak, and the country's increasing production of low-enriched uranium.Meanwhile, Channel 2 on Friday reported the US in recent days had assured Israel that sanctions on Iran would not be eased until Tehran takes significant steps on its nuclear program.Officials in Washington have reportedly briefed their counterparts in Jerusalem concerning the nuclear talks held in Geneva earlier this week between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers.
"They were exploratory talks," Channel 2 quoted a US official as saying."The Iranians have signaled that they are willing to talk about everything, but have not yet offered anything tangible," the official added.On Thursday, The New York Times quoted a senior Obama administration official as saying the US was weighing the possibility of unfreezing billions of dollars of Iranian assets in response to potential concessions by Tehran on its nuclear program discussed at the recently concluded nuclear talks in Geneva.Israel has stated that it would only accept a deal if it meant a total dismantling of the nuclear program similar to what was carried out in Libya.
