Current Event #9: Iran Agrees To Brazil Mediation On Nuclear Fuel 'On Principle'

Click here to read the BBC News article Iran 'accepts Brazil mediation on nuclear fuel deal' written on May 5th.


Earlier this year, a deal proposed by the UN Security Council and Germany regarding Iran's nuclear fuel fell through after Iran refused to accept the terms. Under the deal, Iran was to send uranium to Russia and France, where it would be converted into isotopes to aid in cancer research in return for medical supplies, but Iran demanded a simultaneous switch of uranium and supplies in Iranian territory.

It appears though that a deal may be back in action, as the foreign minister of Brazil is reported to have said that Brazil is interested in in playing a role in settling the nuclear fuel dispute, though it is unknown if any formal proposals have been made. Fars, an Iranian news agency, reported that President Ahmadinejad agreed to Brazilian mediation "in principle".

President Ahmadinejad is currently in the US attending a conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He told ABC news that Iran would continue developing its nuclear program in spite of the possibility of military action by Israel. He also accused states that have already acquired nuclear arms of threatening countries wanting to develop peacefully nuclear technology, which prompted delegates at the conference to leave.

This article is important because it involves Iran's foreign policy. Iran has continued to ignore the threat of increased sanctions from the US, but if a deal between Iran and Brazil is made, Iran's legitimacy may be increased in the eyes of the world.