Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were held up Tuesday after Iran said it did not want France to be part of any deal on uranium enrichment.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not say however why the second day of talks had been delayed, even though all the delegations had gathered at the UN watchdog's headquarters.
The new twist came after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in Tehran that France was not needed at the talks, which also involve Russia, the United States and IAEA officials.
Iran has told the IAEA it needs fuel for a research reactor and a proposal has been made for Russia and France to enrich Iranian uranium. Western powers want greater control of Iran's uranium which they fear is being used to build a nuclear bomb.
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'It is not about the continued French participation' "The agency contacted some countries and the United States and Russia accepted to participate in the negotiations to supply the fuel," Mottaki said.
"The negotiations will be conducted with these two countries in the presence of the agency. We do not need a lot of fuel and we do not need the presence of many countries. There is no need for France to be present.
Delegations from France, Iran, Russia, the United States and the IAEA had gathered in the room at the agency headquarters before deciding to delay the start.
The teams from Tehran and Paris appeared to make a point of leaving the room together. And diplomats played down suggestions that the delay was over the foreign minister's comments.
"It's just regular diplomacy as delegations try to advance the issues," one diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"It is not about the continued French participation but rather about how to best structure a deal so that everyone can be satisfied. Even beyond the politics this is complicated," the diplomat said.
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