White House: Iran security guarantees not considered

Enlarge Photo A general view of the Iranian Parliament during a session in Tehran May 14, 2008....

Wed, May 14 05:51 PM

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday said security guarantees for Iran were not being considered at the moment in nuclear talks.

The comment came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the six nations pressing Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme could guarantee Tehran's security.

"Security guarantees are not something we are looking at at the moment," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in Israel, where President George W. Bush is meeting with leaders during a trip to the Middle East.

The six nations pressing Iran to suspend its nuclear programme are the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France -- and Germany.

Lavrov said: "I think the 'Six' could make the following step: directly put concrete offers on the negotiating table, give Iran security guarantees and ensure a more distinguished place in negotiations on the situation in the Middle East."

He did not specify what security guarantees might be offered.

Iran on Tuesday said it would put forward new proposals in the nuclear dispute with the West, but ruled out suspending uranium enrichment activity.

"As we've been saying, details (of the incentive package) are still being worked out and will be presented to the Iranian government soon. The one who needs to give security guarantees is Iran, because they keep threatening to wipe Israel off the map," Johndroe said.

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