US admiral welcomes Iran nuclear swap

A top US military official has welcomed Iran’s nuclear swap deal with Turkey but said there was still a long way before an end to Tehran’s nuclear standoff with the West.

US Admiral James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, told reporters in Washington that the deal was a “potentially good development” and “an example of what we all hope for, which is a diplomatic system that encourages good behavior” from Iran.

However, he added, “Obviously we have a million miles to go.”

Iran on Monday agreed to send some 1,200 kg of its 3.5 percent enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of 20 percent uranium.

The deal has been met with skepticism from the West.

Britain and France said they would push for more UN sanctions against Iran despite the nuclear fuel swap deal.

The European Union said the agreement may be a step in the right direction, but details needed to be seen. Moscow and Berlin have said that they want more information before commenting.