Iran hopeful for nuke fuel deal

By AGENCIES

Published: Apr 27, 2010 21:03 Updated: Apr 27, 2010 21:03

TEHRAN: Iran's foreign minister has expressed optimism that a deal on providing Tehran with nuclear fuel will soon be struck with the international community.

Manouchehr Mottaki's remarks on Tuesday are part of a new diplomatic push to stave off more sanctions over Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Mottaki says he hopes to "see fuel exchange go into operation in the near future." He spoke after talks with visiting Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim.

UN Security Council member Brazil demanded on Tuesday that Iran guarantee its nuclear program has no military aims, but added that it will work to avoid new sanctions against the Islamic republic.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim also urged Iran and world powers to show "flexibility" over an atomic fuel deal stalled for several months, saying it was an agreement that could build confidence among all sides.

"Iran should have peaceful nuclear activities, but the international community should be given guarantees that there will not be violation and diversion (of nuclear technology) toward military aims," Amorim, who is on a two-day visit, said at a press conference in Tehran.

Amorim said Iran's nuclear "impasse" must see a solution.

"It has dragged on for seven years and in these years Brazil has come closer to Iran," he said.

"We want a solution to this impasse. Brazil is interested in having a role in settling Iran's nuclear issue. I heard the explanation from Iranian sides in my long meeting. It was constructive." Amorim's visit paves the ground for next month's visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Earlier on Tuesday Amorim told Iran's official IRNA news agency that Brazil would work to prevent new sanctions against Tehran.

"We are looking for a way to prevent sanctions against Iran because we think that sanctions are ineffective," Amorim told IRNA.

"The only thing the sanctions achieve is that they hurt people, especially the lower class of people."

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