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America Softens Stance on Iran's Nuclear Program
[Telegraph-UK] David Blair - America and its allies have quietly watered down their stance on Iran's nuclear program, pledging no more economic sanctions if Tehran keeps its enrichment of uranium at present levels. America's position had been that Iran must completely stop enriching uranium or face steadily increasing pressure. Four UN resolutions, three of which impose economic sanctions on Tehran, make this demand. Yet the latest offer to Iran softens this stance. When a delegation of diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China traveled to Tehran last month, they offered economic and technical help if Iran completely stopped enriching uranium. Crucially, they also said that if Iran merely froze enrichment at present levels, no new sanctions would be imposed. The "freeze for freeze" offer - with its acceptance that Iran can operate 3,000 centrifuges without incurring more sanctions - may be interpreted as the first sign that America is becoming reconciled to Iran's nuclear ambitions. At present, Iran's plans provide for the installation of as many as 48,000 centrifuges.