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U.S. Hardens Stance in Iran Nuclear Talks

(Al Monitor) Laura Rozen and Barbara Slavin - Briefings by diplomats whose countries took part in the Moscow talks with Iran on June 18-19 portrayed the meetings as a "dialogue of the deaf." Iran's chief nuclear negotiator did express willingness to discuss stopping enrichment of uranium to 20%, but the West also insisted that Iran ship out its stockpile of more than 100 kg. of 20%-enriched uranium and close Fordo, a fortified enrichment facility built into a mountain near Qom - treating the three demands inseparably, as a package. "Both sides are looking to buy time, but for entirely different reasons," said Ali Vaez, an Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group. "The West appears to be waiting for the new onerous sanctions to sink in and render Iran more amenable to compromise. In mirror image, Iran seemingly believes that President Obama will be in a better position to offer genuine concessions after reelection."
2012-06-28 00:00:00
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