Diplomats has given Iran a deadline of July 12 to end its uranium enrichment program and to agree to talks with the West. If Iran fails to comply, the U.S. and its allies will seek U.N. sanctions against Tehran.
Meetings between officials from the E.U. and Iran are scheduled to take place later this week. On Wednesday, European Union envoy Javier Solana will urge top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani to convince his nation's leaders to comply with the West's demands.
A diplomat familiar with the situation told the Associated Press, 'If Iran has not answered positively by this date, the ministers will likely adopt a decision to resume negotiations on the Security Council resolution.' The diplomat requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Russia and China, traditional allies of Iran, have indicated they are more willing to pursue sanctions against Tehran if the Iranian government refuses to cooperate according to another diplomatic source.
Thus far, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sent mixed signals to the West as to whether or not his government would agree to suspend uranium enrichment. The hard line ayatollahs who hold real power have spoken out harshly against negotiations.
The West has accused Iran of using its nuclear energy program as a front for developing nuclear weapons. Iran is one of the largest oil exporting nations in the world. The government in Tehran insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
