Iran talks break up without compromise

TALKS between Iran and the European Union broke up yesterday without compromise on Tehran’s refusal to freeze uranium enrichment, and the top EU foreign policy envoy said he was disappointed at Tehran’s refusal to budge.

“I expected more and therefore I am disappointed,” EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said after five hours of talks with Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. The failure of the meeting was likely to increase pressure for new UN Security Council sanctions, with the five permanent council members set to discuss such actions today.

Just minutes before Mr Solana spoke, Mr Jalili had sent a different message, describing his meeting as “good” and saying the two men had arranged to meet again next month.