Iran's chief nuclear negotiator quits

Last Modified: 20 Oct 2007
By: Channel 4 News

Ali Larijani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and the country's main contact with the west, has resigned after months of tension over Tehran's plans to build a nuclear reactor.

The UN has imposed sanctions on Iran because of fears that it is intent on developing nuclear weapons. Channel 4 News has been told that Mr Larijani's resignation followed a disagreement with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over a possible compromise recommended by Russia.

Ali Larijani has been key to the west's attempts to negotiate with Iran and many will see his departure as a worrying sign.

The Iranian government cited personal reasons for his leaving and insisted it had nothing to do with differences of opinion.

But Channel 4 News has learned the resignation came about as a result of President Putin's meeting with Iran's President Ahmadinejad this week.

Sources close to Mr Larijani have said he thought a compromise on Iran's nuclear future suggested by the Russians was worth pursuing.

He abruptly resigned after President Ahmadinejad denied any such proposals had been made.