P5+1 supported plan of restricting Iran's operations in nuclear sector - Iranian diplomat
GENEVA. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced in Geneva on Thursday that the P5+1 group of international mediators approved Iran's plan implying restrictions in Tehran's operations in the nuclear sphere in exchange for the selective easing of economic sanctions.
"Today they [mediators] clearly stated that they are accepting the plan proposed by Iran," he said.
Meanwhile, representatives of delegations of the P5+1 group refused to comment on his announcement.
Earlier on Thursday a high-ranking U.S. diplomat said that the United States found it possible to reach an intermediate understanding with Tehran on settling the Iranian nuclear problem.
Before the Geneva talks he said he saw the possible outline of the first step and felt that it could be recorded in writing on one or more sheets of paper.
Sources that took part in the previous round of talks between P5+1 and Iran in Geneva on October 15-16 said that Iran strives for a short-term understanding that would imply the introduction of restrictions on the degree of uranium enrichment in exchange for the partial cancellation of sanctions. However, the Iranian side would continue insisting that the long-term agreement would guarantee it the right to enrich uranium in principle and imply the full lifting of sanctions. In return Iran would agree to stricter inspections of its nuclear facilities.
In the framework of the understandings Iran would renounce the enrichment of uranium to 20% but would not be bound to take the accumulated reserves abroad. This uranium would be converted into reactor fuel.
