Washington has denied recent reports that it would be willing to let Iran continue low-grade uranium enrichment, stressing that there has been no change in the U.S. position.
Last week, a U.S. official was quoted by The Los Angeles Times saying that world powers are prepared to allow Iran to continue uranium enrichment to the five-percent level, so long as it agrees to strict supervision of its nuclear activities by UN inspectors.
Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, responded today to questions about allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium, saying: “I’m not sure what your assertion is based on. It might have been based on one poorly reported story that I saw over the weekend.”
She added: “I would say that our position remains as it has been: we want to see Iran live up to its international obligations, including the suspension of uranium enrichment as required by multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”
The United Nations has issued several resolutions calling on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment. Iran, however, has refused to heed those calls and claims that its enrichment activities are vital to producing fuel for its nuclear reactors, which are used for peaceful purposes.
Iran has continuously maintained that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and has no military dimension.
Nuland added that the United States wants the talks between the G5+1 and Iran to continue, referring to the next meeting scheduled for May 23 in Baghdad.
