Iran Dismisses Russian Nuclear Proposal As Insufficient

Ali Larijani (file photo) (epa) 27 January 2006 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, says a Russian plan to carry out nuclear enrichment outside of Iran is insufficient for Iran's needs.
The Iranian news agency IRNA today quotes Larijani as saying further discussions of the proposal are planned.

Under the Russian proposal -- which has U.S. and UN backing -- Iranian nuclear fuel would be enriched in Russia. The initiative is meant to allay western fears that Iran could divert some enriched uranium for making nuclear weapons.

Larijani was recently in Russia and China to try to win diplomatic backing from the two against efforts to refer Iran to the Security Council for possible punitive sanctions.

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.

(AFP)