US to give Iran time to consider proposals
The US said today it wanted to give Iran time to consider a package of incentives meant to end a nuclear stand-off before discussing specifics of the proposal.
State Department offical Sean McCormack said diplomacy “is at a sensitive stage” and the US wanted Iran to have a chance to review the proposal without having it discussed publicly.
“They have had it presented to them,” McCormack said.
“Now it’s time for them to consider what their answer will be. We hope that there’s going to be a positive answer.”
He declined to discuss specifics, but said the Iran’s timetable to consider the package was “weeks, not months”.
The proposal was agreed on last week by the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, in a bid to resolve the nuclear stand-off with Iran.
Diplomats in Vienna said it includes a provision for the United States to supply Tehran with some nuclear technology if it stops enriching uranium – a major concession by Washington.
Top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Tuesday the initiative contains “positive steps” but also some “ambiguities.”
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