EU: Britain, Germany and France defied the US last month by offering Iran the prospect of sharing technology if it stopped its disputed nuclear fuel enrichment programme and accepted tougher UN inspections.
Western diplomats said a joint letter by the three European foreign ministers, the content of which has not previously been disclosed, was delivered to Tehran in early August despite intense lobbying by Washington.
It highlighted a wide gulf between the Bush administration and even its closest European ally, Britain, on whether to engage or isolate Iran.
The Europeans urged Iran to sign, implement and ratify a protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that provides for intrusive, short-notice inspections and to halt its uranium enrichment programme, which the west fears could be at the heart of a clandestine nuclear arms programme.
In return for compliance, the letter raised the prospect of some co-operation on technology, without specifically pledging help with a civilian nuclear energy programme, the sources said.
"Washington did not consider it very helpful at all. They were worried it ran the risk of splitting Europe and America on this issue . . . and attempted to dissuade them from sending the letter," a diplomat familiar with the exchanges said.
British and French officials confirmed the letter had been sent with the knowledge of the United States, but said Tehran had been offered no direct "quid pro quo".
However, a British official said that if Iran did comply fully with the NPT, "that would bring certain rights with it".
European diplomats said they were disappointed there had not been a more specific reply from Tehran so far.
On August 18th President Mohammad Khatami of Iran sent a broadly worded letter to European leaders, pledging that Iran would never divert its civilian nuclear programme for military purposes and had decided to enter immediate talks on the so-called additional protocol.
But that message did not commit Iran to sign or ratify the protocol, and European diplomats question whether President Khatami, locked in a power struggle with hardline clerics, has effective control over the nuclear programme.
Diplomats said the US and Russia were both involved in preliminary discussions on the letter but Washington fundamentally opposed offering Iran any carrot.