Iranian nuclear negotiators are meeting representatives of the so-called European G3 on Wednesday in Vienna in ‘pre-talks talks.’ The United Kingdom, France and Germany are attempting to establish whether there is any room to pick up negotiations, which broke off in August.
Analysts believe this is one of the last opportunities to be given to Tehran to prove it is serious about discussing its nuclear program before the European nations join the United States in recommending the issue be referred to the United Nations Security Council.
On the eve of the talks Jane’s Defence Weekly reported Syria and Iran have signed an accord whereby Damascus commits to store Iranian nuclear weapons, if U.N. sanctions are imposed on Iran.
In return Tehran has reportedly said it will offer a safe haven for any Syrians indicted in the wake of the international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.
The deal pens several other arrangements including:
• Syria continuing to help arm the Iranian-backed Hizbullah,
• financial aid from Tehran to Damascus,
• transferring Iranian WMD technological aid to Syria,
• upgrading Syrian ballistic missiles, and
• an Iranian offer to operate Syrian weapons systems if needed.