Washington and its European allies, in a diplomatic coup, are gradually enlisting Chinese support on how to deal with Iran and its suspicious nuclear activities, U.S. and European officials said Wednesday. Beijing's backing before a key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday adds additional clout to an ambitious international Iran strategy that has recently seen Russia join the Americans and Europeans in pressuring Iran to give up technology that could make nuclear arms.For months, Iran has relied on Beijing and Moscow to fend off a U.S.-backed push to have it hauled before the UN Security Council. While the Americans and Europeans have opted not to lobby for referral at the meeting of the 35-country IAEA board, they could resume their efforts at a later session if they judge that the Russians, Chinese and other key countries will not stand in their way.
A European official told The Associated Press that "the Chinese are very, very constructive and on board with the (U.S.)-European position," engaging Iran on giving up uranium enrichment, while indirectly keeping the possibility of Security Council action alive. A U.S. official suggested the Americans had started sharing intelligence on Iran's nuclear program with Beijing. While still opposed to Security Council referral, the Chinese were "moving closer to the European and U.S. position," he said.
Currently, Iran's enrichment program is frozen. But negotiations between Iran and France, Britain and Germany - the so-called "EU-3" - broke off in August after Iran restarted a linked activity: the conversion of raw uranium into the gas that is used as the feed stock in enrichment.
While the Americans and Europeans publicly insist they want a negotiated solution with Iran on enrichment, they have acknowledged in background conversations that they would expect additional support from countries now opposed to Security Council referral if Tehran continues to dig in its heels. Looking ahead to Thursday's board meeting, diplomats in Vienna said the European Union would likely directly mention the threat of referral in a statement listing recent IAEA findings that have added to concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, and urging Iran to end foot-dragging that has hampered IAEA inspectors. A European diplomat described the language of the text as "hard" and said that as of late Wednesday there was still disagreement among the "EU-3" over whether to include the offer of new talks in the statement.
Among new revelations of concern contained in a report drawn up for the board meeting by IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei is a finding showing the Iranians in possession of what appeared to be drawings of the core of an atomic warhead.
Russia, Iran's key partner in building Tehran's first nuclear power plant, and China, a longtime trading partner and political backer, have considerable clout with Tehran. As veto-wielding members of the Security Council, they are also crucial players if Iran is referred to the UN's highest decision-making body for possible sanctions.