VIENNA, Jan 9 (KUNA) -- Upcoming talks between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran over the country's nuclear power program, on January 16, are unlikely to have any results, said Iran expert Bahman Nirumand.
In an interview with the Austrian Press Agency (APA), Nirumand said that the positions of the conflicting parties were too far apart.
"Iran wants to push forward its nuclear technology, and the West wants to stop that programme, or get Iran to keep its uranium enrichment to 20 percent at the most," said the German-Iranian analyst. He added that Iran was internally divided on the nuclear question.
"The Iranian government is also not in agreement. Positions range from moderate pragmatism to very extreme," said the expert, pointing out that this was the reason there probably would not be a decision before the next presidential elections in June this year.
On the issue of increasing sanctions, Nirumand warned that the economic sanctions especially affected the Iranian people, who would then be more likely to solidarize with their government against the West.
Iran is suspected of developing atomic weapons under the guise of a non-aggressive uranium enrichment program. Iran denies the accusations and says its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes. (end) amg.asa KUNA 090905 Jan 13NNNN