DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./IRAN:

'Iran issue approaching confrontation'
By HAVIV RETTIG

"We see a deteriorating situation, a move toward confrontation" with Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed ElBaradei warned Thursday, speaking of international efforts to curtail Teheran's uranium enrichment program.

He called on all parties to "create conditions that would lead to negotiations," including an Iranian suspension of uranium enrichment and a commitment on the part of the international community to join in "comprehensive dialogue" with the Iranian government.

ElBaradei was speaking in Luxembourg at the International Conference on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe.

He also insisted he had been misunderstood when he seemed to suggest last week that Iran should be allowed to maintain a small uranium enrichment program. "I have not suggested that Iran should keep centrifuges," ElBaradei told reporters at the conference, which is chaired by Russian-Israeli industrialist Viatcheslav Kantor.

ElBaradei said he had merely wanted to alert the world that Iran was increasing its capabilities. American, French, German and British diplomats had complained about ElBaradei's suggestion, saying he was "weak" on getting Teheran to disarm.

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Pertinent Links:

1) 'Iran issue approaching confrontation'