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No conclusion was made in Vienna between Iran and the European Union (EU) over Tehran's suspension of some of its nuclear activities and talks would continue on Friday, a source close to the discussions said Thursday.
The atmosphere of the talks was "positive," but no final deal was made, the source said.
A Western diplomat close to the talks said Iran had asked for more concessions from the EU such as a resumption of frozen trade talks, a request turned down by the EU.
Other obstacles to an agreement also included the length and extent of the suspension of enrichment activities.
However, Hossein Moussavian, an Iranian negotiator, said Thursday "There are still internal discussions at a high level" and he was optimistic about an agreement.
Representatives from France, Britain and Germany are negotiating with Iran for its agreement to a tentative deal reached last week in Paris on freezing Tehran's uranium enrichment activities that can help make nuclear arms.
The three European countries, representing the 25-member EU, had hoped to persuade Iran to cease its activities related to uranium enrichment in exchange for a nuclear cooperation, including the offering of civilian nuclear technology by the EU.
Iran has also been required to submit a written statement to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before Wednesday stating that it will suspend its uranium enrichment activities.
Tehran has reportedly failed to meet the deadline.
The IAEA, after investigating Iran's nuclear program for more than two years, approved a resolution on Sept. 18 demanding that Tehran suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment and clarify all pending nuclear program issues before the nuclear watchdog's meeting on Nov. 25.
The next meeting will also decide whether to refer Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.
Iran had insisted that its legal right to have access to nuclear technology was not deprivable.
Tehran also denied US accusations that it is using a civilian nuclear program as a cover to pursue nuclear weapons. Tehran says it wants only to generate electricity.
(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2004)
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