IRAN: Russia, the United States and the European Union began a new attempt yesterday to end months of deadlock over Iran's nuclear programme.
The powers sought to draft a proposal aimed at satisfying the world that Iran's nuclear intentions are peaceful, but diplomats doubted Tehran would accept the deal.
France, Britain and Germany - the EU3 - and the United States support the idea of a proposal that would allow Iran keep part of its nuclear fuel production programme if the most sensitive part - enrichment - was scrapped and moved to Russia, diplomats say.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he hoped a deal would be reached soon.
"He hopes that, in the coming days, the international community will be able to coalesce around a solution that is acceptable to all parties, including Iran," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement.
But diplomats were sceptical Iran would join the proposed Russian joint venture, as that would require Tehran to renounce enrichment, which it says it will never do. Enrichment purifies uranium for use as fuel in power stations or, if it is enriched further, for use in bombs.
Washington accuses Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons under cover of its atomic power programme, which Tehran denies.
Under the plan, Iran could continue with uranium conversion, the step before enrichment, something the West had previously wanted Iran to renounce as well.