France's foreign minister hinted today at divergences between Russia and Western countries currently involved in a decisive final round of talks with Iran to negotiate a deal on its controversial nuclear drive.
"Whereas until now the P5+1 (the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany) had a very homogeneous attitude, in the past days representatives in the negotiations have put forward a certain number of different approaches between part of the 5+1 and our Russian partners," he told a parliamentary commission.
Fabius did not say what exactly the differences were between members of the P5+1, which has always presented a united front in negotiations with Iran on its nuclear programme.
"We would like the unity of the 5+1 to be preserved," he added, just as world powers are gathered in Vienna for the latest round of talks aimed at negotiating a deal before a July 20 deadline that would finally ease fears of Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.
Fabius said "none of the main issues" had so far been resolved, citing for instance Iran's capacities to enrich uranium, a process that produces nuclear fuel but also, at high purities, the core of an atomic bomb.
