Iran To Deal With Europe, Not U.S., Over Nuke Program

26 September 2004-- Iran says it is not planning to negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program, choosing instead to invite Europe to the discussion table.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Assefi made the announcement today in Tehran.

Iran is currently under threat of being brought before the UN Security Council over its nuclear program, which Washington says is being used covertly to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran denies that charge.

The three main European countries that have been leading talks with Iran -- France, Germany, and Britain -- want that Islamic republic to abandon its uranium-enrichment program.

Uranium enrichment is a process that produces material for civilian nuclear reactors but can also be used for atomic weapons.

(RFE/RL/AP)

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