Iran Nuke Deal Hits Snags

In spite of U.N. and U.S. attempts to weaken Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the rogue nation is working to maintain its access to uranium and to keep its nuclear options open. After talks between the U.N., Iran, Russia, and the U.S., a deal was drawn up by the U.N.-based International Atomic Energy that would allow Iran to continue running its research reactor while limiting access to uranium enough to render it incapable of building nuclear weapons. Rather than purchasing uranium independently, the plan proposed exporting uranium from Iran to Russia and then France for treatment, then back to Iran for research—but on Friday Iranian television reports that the nation would prefer to buy its own, and diplomats involved in the deal are skeptical. Though Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear research is intended for only peaceful purposes, the deal was in part an attempt to appease fears over Tehran’s nuclear program. "matters are not very positive," said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.