U.S. makes Iran new nuclear offer

The United States and three European allies have a new offer to Iran regarding slowing Iranian nuclear development, but stated doubts it will be accepted.

The proposal was discussed on Tuesday during a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency.

Supported by Britain, Germany and France, the proposal would permit Iran to conduct very limited nuclear activities on its own soil, but would move the process of enriching its uranium to Russia, the United States and Europe.

Rice reportedly urged that Iran be given a deadline of two weeks for its response, before the IAEA board meets Nov. 24, The New York Times reports.

V.Y.