U.S., French leaders voice support for proposal on Iran nuke program
"The United States and France are in full agreement regarding the P5+1's unified proposal to Iran and the approach to negotiations," the White House said in a statement. "They consider the P5+1 proposal to be a sound step toward assuring the international community that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful," said the White House.
Iran held three-day intensive talks in Geneva, Switzerland, last week with Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, in which the world powers were expected to have agreed to easing of sanctions on Iran in exchange for its agreement to suspend some of its nuclear activities, Xinhua reports.
Iran blamed fissures within the world powers, notably France's insistence on a tougher position on Iran's nuclear program, for the failure to sign a deal, while the United States accused the Iranian negotiators of being unable to accept the proposal on the table without consulting their leaders at home.
The two sides agreed, however, to meet again in Geneva on Nov. 20.
Obama also discussed Iran nuclear talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron over the phone Tuesday.
The Obama administration is lining up support from allies as Israel and hawkish U.S. lawmakers oppose a deal with Iran before the Islamic republic gives up its nuclear program completely.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is set to appear before the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday to argue against imposing tougher sanctions on Iran and for giving diplomacy more time.
