TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Tuesday that it had invited the European Union and other world powers — but apparently not the U.S. — to tour nuclear sites before the next international talks this month on its disputed nuclear program.
The Associated Press reported the invitation Monday, citing a letter from a senior Iranian envoy that suggested Jan. 15-16 for the visit. A diplomat familiar with the letter said Iran invited Russia, China, Egypt, the nonaligned nations at the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency, Cuba, Arab League members at the IAEA and Hungary, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
Iran’s economy appears to be struggling under the weight of four rounds of international sanctions over its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at producing weapons, which Tehran denies.
Iran returned last month to nuclear talks with the so-called “5 plus 1” countries — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China, plus Germany — which hold sway over the sanctions. And the invitation may be a sign Tehran is looking for ways to ease its financial pain.
The U.S. State Department mocked Iran’s offer, calling it a “magical mystery tour.” Spokesman P.J. Crowley said the offer is no substitute for Iran fully cooperating with the U.N. nuclear watchdog to prove that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes and not to build a bomb.
Asked by reporters about Iran’s invitation excluding the U.S., Crowley responded sarcastically: “We’re just crushed.” While he did not urge others to decline, he did say there is no reason for any country to attend.
An Iranian official speaking from a European capital said facilities to be visited include the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and the Arak site where Tehran is building a plutonium-producing heavy water reactor.
