Clinton to focus on Iran, North Korea on tour

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to discuss Iran and North Korea with world leaders during her visit to Europe and Asia.

The centerpiece of Clinton’s two days in Berlin will be celebrations marking the anniversary of the November 9, 1989 opening of the wall, the symbolic end of the Cold War. But behind the scenes, in meetings with German and other visiting foreign officials, the Iran question looms, Associated Press reported.

According to a proposal by the West, Iran should send 1.2 tons of low-enriched uranium — around 70 percent of its stockpile — for reprocessing in Russia in one batch by the end of the year.

France would then convert the uranium into fuel rods that would be returned to Iran for use in a reactor in Tehran that produces medical isotopes. Fuel rods cannot be further enriched into weapons-grade material.

Western officials say Iran agreed to the deal in principle, but there have been recent conflicting signals about it and senior Iranian lawmakers are demanding that the government reject it. The International Atomic Energy Agency is attempting to persuade Iran to accept the deal; Clinton and others say time is running out.

Clinton departed early Sunday for Berlin. From Berlin, Clinton goes to Singapore, where she will meet Wednesday with Asia-Pacific foreign ministers for talks that will center on North Korea.