Iran nuclear probe stuck, diplomats say

Lack of progress reduces chances that US and otherworld powers can clinch deal by November deadline

Diplomats say that the UN’s latest attempt to probe allegations that Iran worked on atomic arms has stalled.

The diplomats demanded anonymity because their information is confidential. Iran denies working on nuclear weapons. International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) head Yukiya Amano had sounded optimistic last month after talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. But the diplomats say there has been no substantial progress since February when the two sides agreed to restart the investigation.

The lack of progress reduces chances that the US and five other world powers will meet a November deadline for a deal with Iran that curtails its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Israel steps up lobbying

The US says that the UN nuclear agency must state that it has been able to complete its investigation to its satisfaction as part of any agreement.

Meanwhile, Israel is lobbying world powers anew against any nuclear deal that would let Tehran retain potential bomb- making technologies, a senior Israeli official said yesterday.

Negotiators hope for a comprehensive agreement by November 24 under which Iran would curb its disputed activities in exchange for an easing of economic sanctions crippling its economy.

The next round of talks between six world powers and Iran is expected to be held later this month in New York.

Yuval Steinitz, Israeli minister for strategic affairs, said in a radio interview he would head a government delegation to Washington next week to press the Jewish state’s demand that the Islamic republic be stripped of all nuclear capacity — something Tehran rules out and many Western diplomats deem unfeasible.