Hans Punz / AP Photo
Nuclear talks between Russia, France, the U.S., and Iran have hit a snag. A state-owned Iranian TV channel reported that Iran wants to import enriched uranium for its research reactor in Tehran. In principle, Iran had agreed to send its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France, which would treat the fuel, turn it into rods, and send it back to Iran. Under that deal, Iran would get the fuel it needs and evade new sanctions while the West would get a guarantee that Iran's as not being diverted into nuclear bombs. If the TV report is true, Iran's desire to buy highly-enriched uranium from the US, France, or Russia could scuttle the West's hopes of a new dialogue. A meeting hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on Monday will test the diplomatic process under way.