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Iran's conditions push nuclear deal close to collapse
Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough over Iran's nuclear program were dwindling tonight after Tehran demanded changes to a uranium exchange deal that European diplomats described as "unacceptable".
If the deal collapses, as seems likely, it would deliver another critical blow to Barack Obama's policy of engagement, and put international sanctions and Israeli military action back on the table.
The uranium deal, agreed in principle in Geneva at the beginning of the month, involved Iran shipping out most of its enriched uranium and, in return, being provided about a year later with fuel rods for its research reactor in Tehran.
Iran's response, delivered after a week's delay to the International Atomic Energy Agency, was not made public, but according to diplomats familiar with the details, Tehran demanded two big changes: Iran would only ship its uranium out in batches, and only when the French-made fuel rods were delivered.