Is A Deal To Swap Iran's Nuclear Program To End Sanctions In The Works?

Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (right) seems to have axed Manuchehr Mottaki as foreign minister more for domestic political reasons than policy differences.

Iran In Secret Talks On Nuclear Swap In Bid To End Sanctions -- The Telegraph

Iran has begun secret negotiations on proposals to surrender a substantial part of its uranium stockpile and suspend enriching nuclear fuel in return for an end to sanctions that have crippled the country's economy.

The Turkish-led deal calls on Iran to ship about 1,000 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium, as well as its entire 30 kilogram stockpile of 20-per cent enriched uranium, to a safe location.

In return, France and Russia will supply ready-made fuel rods for the medical isotope reactor for which Iran says it has been enriching uranium to 20 per cent – a level which halves the time needed to manufacture weapons-grade material.

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My Comment: I cannot say that I am surprised by these Iranian maneuvers. When I read stories of Iran cutting aid to their most trusted allies, coupled with news stories of more sanctions being planned .... the Iranian Government had to react. Is this the reason why Iran's President decided to fire his foreign minister? .... I do not know the answer (the new foreign minister has declared that Iran's nuclear policy will not change) .... but it is clear that some sort of policy struggle is underway in Iran.