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Exclusive-Senior Iranian official: European proposals in Geneva unrealistic

Exclusive-Senior Iranian official: European proposals in Geneva unrealistic

The Star21-06-2025
ISTANBUL (Reuters) -The discussions and proposals made by the European powers to Iran over its nuclear programme in Geneva were unrealistic and insisting on them will not bring both sides closer to an agreement, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
"In any case, Iran will review the European proposals in Tehran and present its responses in the next meeting," the official said.
He added that zero enrichment was a dead end and that Iran would not negotiate over its defensive capabilities, including its missile programme.
(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi. Writing by John Irish. Editing by Mark Potter)
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