The United States today for the first time accepted that Iran can develop civilian nuclear programs, backing an EU proposal that would allow Tehran to pursue atomic power in exchange for giving up fuel work.
In a compromise that completed a gradual shift in US policy, Washington acquiesced because it believes the European Union offer has enough safeguards to prevent Iran diverting its civilian work into making nuclear bombs.
"We support the (Europeans') effort and the proposal they have put forward to find a diplomatic solution to this problem and to seek an end to Iran's nuclear weapons program," State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.