France Says Nuclear Talks with Iran Still Possible

Reuters:

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Friday that negotiations were still possible with Iran to defuse tensions over Tehran's resumption of sensitive nuclear work.

"The door is still open to negotiations, we are convinced," he told reporters after an African aid meeting with U.N. officials. "The international community is united in demanding that the Iranians suspend their nuclear activities." READ MORE

Iran resumed work at a uranium conversion plant on Monday after rejecting a European Union offer of political and economic incentives in return for giving up its nuclear programme.

It says it aims only to produce electricity and denies western accusations it is seeking a nuclear bomb.

"We think that negotiations are still possible, in particular with the Europeans, under the condition that the Iranians suspend their activities," Douste-Blazy said.

The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unanimously called on Iran on Thursday to halt sensitive atomic work.

Douste-Blazy said the next step would be on September 3 when IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei reports on Iran's activities.

"We are awaiting the report that will be completed by the director of the agency on September 3 and we will see," he said.

If Iran continues to defy global demands, another IAEA meeting will likely be held, where both Europe and Washington will push for a referral to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.