Fabius: Progress Made in Uranium Enrichment Dispute

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius stated on Tuesday, December 4, that nuclear talks between Iran and world powers have been "largely positive" and that progress has been made on key issues, including uranium enrichment capacity. In an interview with French media, Fabius noted that "there has been movement in limiting [Iran's enrichment capacity]." Iran and the negotiating countries in the 1+5 group decided on December 3 to extend the negotiation deadline after months of talks. The discussions are set to continue until the end of June 2015. One day after this round of negotiations, Fabius also mentioned that the 1+5 group has proposed "general plans" as solutions for the Arak heavy water reactor. Western powers are concerned that if the Arak heavy water facility is operated in its current form, it could produce significant amounts of plutonium, which is essential for building nuclear bombs. He also added that progress has been made in ensuring that Iran will adhere to its commitments after a final agreement. Fabius remarked that "the tone this time was more positive" and that "the willingness to reach an agreement was something I had not felt in previous talks." Meanwhile, some prominent Republican senators stated on Monday that they believe the extension of negotiations should be accompanied by increased sanctions against Iran. In this context, senior Republican Senator Mark Kirk wrote on his official website regarding the latest round of nuclear talks with Iran: "What has been announced today means that the [Obama] administration continues to block sanctions and allows the Iranian regime, which is a state sponsor of terrorism, to earn $700 million a month, or about $23 million a day." He added, "This is while Iran continues its nuclear bomb-making program and sparks an arms race in the Middle East." This American senator further stated, "It is now more important than ever for Congress to impose sanctions that leave the Iranian clerics with no option but to dismantle their illegal nuclear program." According to Kirk, further sanctions from Congress could also lead Iran to provide "the International Atomic Energy Agency with full and unconditional access for inspections, thereby contributing to the security of the international community." On Tuesday, the Supreme Leader of Iran commented on the latest round of nuclear negotiations, stating: "In the nuclear issue, the U.S. and European colonial powers gathered together and made every effort to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees, but they could not and will not succeed." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed these views during a meeting with participants of the World Congress on "Extremist and Takfiri Movements from the Perspective of Islamic Scholars."