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Iran Nuclear Talks Spark Skepticism

(Wall Street Journal) Jay Solomon and Joe Parkinson - Renewed negotiations between Iran and international powers over Tehran's nuclear program this weekend already are facing fire from Israel and American lawmakers, who fear the Islamic Republic is seeking to use the revived diplomatic track to forestall additional economic sanctions while continuing to advance its nuclear work. "My initial impression is that Iran has been given a 'freebie'," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. "It has got five weeks to continue enrichment without any limitation, any inhibition." American and European officials acknowledged Saturday that they didn't press Iran to take any specific actions to curb its nuclear program during the Istanbul meetings. Indeed, Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili offered few indications on Saturday that Iran was ready to comply with the international community's demands. He said Tehran expected U.S., UN and EU sanctions to be lifted as the dialogue continued. Leading American lawmakers on Sunday countered that Congress would intensify sanctions if Tehran didn't immediately freeze its production of nuclear fuel. "We should not mistake positive diplomatic dialogue for compliance with UN Security Council resolutions," said a spokesman for Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).
2012-04-16 00:00:00
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