A high-level meeting between Iran and the European Union yesterday failed to reach an agreement that would prevent the nuclear dispute from reaching the United Nations Security Council.But European diplomats appeared to hold out hope of further Iranian compromise over the next few days, before the Security Council discusses the issue.
One senior European diplomat described the atmosphere in yesterday's talks as "better than usual", and said Tehran seemed "more eager to reach an agreement".
At the meeting - requested by Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator - Tehran offered to suspend industrial-scale uranium enrichment for two years but insisted on continuing with its "nuclear research", including a small-scale pilot enrichment plant.
The proposal, which repackaged ideas Tehran had put forward in the past, was rejected by the so-called EU3 - France, Germany and the UK.
European governments have insisted that Iran stop all "research" work as well, before entering into full-scale talks over the future of the nuclear programme.
But while last year the Europeans wanted a 10-year suspension of all enrichment, diplomats suggested yesterday that the UK, France and Germany were willing to make a deal with Tehran that would include only a two-year suspension.
"Today's meeting came at a very critical point in time. Time is running short. If we want success [by negotiations], we have to get it now," said Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister. "The International Atomic Energy Agency board deliberations on Iran's nuclear programme will happen next week and they will be of great significance - either we'll achieve a deal enabling renewed negotiations or the matter will be referred to the Security Council."
John Sawers, the political director at the British Foreign Office, told reporters in Vienna that if Iran had something new to offer, the European side would be prepared for another meeting.
"There's an open door for more talks, for listening to further ideas," said another European diplomat.
"But we have to have a resumption of full suspension and something new, such as a rigorous definition of research."
The Security Council's five permanent members decided to report Iran to the UNearlier this year after Tehran announced that it was resuming uranium enrichment for research. But they agreed to delay the step until after the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, meets next week.
Diplomats expect the Security Council - which is set to discuss Iran the following week - will adopt a gradual approach to pressure, starting with a statement calling on Iran to abide by all the resolutions of the IAEA.
