US sees Turkey-Brazil deal on Iran fuel swap "unacceptable"

"In our view the joint declaration falls short of what's necessary. But regardless of this ... proposal, it is important that we proceed to New York to adopt the resolution," said the official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a press conference in Brasilia after holding tete-a-tete meeting and chairing meetings between delegations of the two countries, Andolu news agency said.

Foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Brazil signed a deal where Iran committed to give the 1200 kg of 3.5 percent enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for 20 percent enriched uranium it will receive from Western countries to be used as fuel in the nuclear research reactor in Tehran. Tehran will receive the enriched uranium from the Vienna Group, comprising of the U.S., France, Russia and International Atomic Energy Agency, in Turkey.

U.S.-led Western countries accuses Iran's nuclear programme of aiming to produce atomic bomb which Islamic Republic has strongly rejected.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, including Russia and China which have previously rejected such action, have agreed on a draft resolution to impose new sanctions on Tehran.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, including Russia and China which have previously rejected such action, have agreed on a draft resolution to impose new sanctions on Tehran.


/World Bulletin/