Iran's chief nuclear negotiator quits
Updated on 20 October 2007
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.
