Iran To Discuss Russian Nuclear Proposal

(Tehran, Iran) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki announced earlier today that a high-level delegation will travel to Moscow on Monday for talks on Russia's nuclear proposal.

From the BBC:

Russia has proposed a compromise deal under which uranium for Iran would be enriched on Russian territory.

Moscow is confident it can pull off a diplomatic coup and convince Iran to accept a nuclear compromise.

Under the proposals, Iran would be allowed enriched uranium on Russian soil and in Russian facilities.

That way, Teheran would be able to run a nuclear power programme, which the Iranians say is all they want to do.

But it would not be able to divert fuel to develop nuclear weapons, which is what America and Europe believe is what Iran really wants to do.

Many observers are skeptical, believing instead that the Iranians can't be trusted and this is just an eleventh-hour stunt to delay any decision by European and U.S. officials. As I recall, we've seen this kind of ploy before when Saddam was constantly coming up with last-minute counter proposals prior to the Gulf War.

Nevertheless, Minister Mottaki told reporters today that he was optimistic about the talks.

Companion post at In The Bullpen.