US pulls back from Iran crisis in concession to Europeans

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States had to pull back from its hard line on Iran's nuclear programme to preserve its relations with European allies and avert a new crisis in the Middle East, analysts said.

Though it has still has major worries about Iran's nuclear capability, the administration of George W. Bush knows it cannot afford new international tensions less than one year from a presidential election, experts said.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected Wednesday to approve a compromise motion hammered out by the United States and key European allies to condemn Iran's nuclear programme.

But it will not call for Iran to be discussed at the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "We are very satisfied with that resolution."

Washington, which accuses Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, wanted the Iranian government condemned ...