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Summary
Russian Foreign Minister Sergie Lavrov said on Monday during a visit to Sri Lanka, he was confident Iran will confirm the details of an arrangement made in Geneva. In talks with world powers, Iran promised to send abroad much of its enriched uranium reserve for processing into fuel for a reactor that makes radio-isotopes for medical care. World powers regard this step, and the United Nations inspection of a uranium site, as tests of Iran's stated intent to use enriched uranium only for civilian purposes and a basis for follow-up talks on curbing enrichment itself, which would bring Iran trade and technology rewards in return. But the tentative deal stumbled on Friday when Iran ignored a U.N. deadline for giving its response to the proposal, with officials saying it would give an answer only the following week. The deal, proposed by the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA), had already been approved by the other parties -- the United States, Russia and France. However Russia's Lavrov remained confident Iran will soon confirm the details. Today itself a group of IAEA experts is visiting Iran to prepare the inspecting of the site near the Qum city. We also expect confirmation of Iran to the arrangements discussed in Geneva, Lavrov told journalists in Colombo on Monday at the start of a one day visit in Sri Lanka.
