DHAKA: Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday denied US claims that the Islamic republic had scuttled nuclear talks in Geneva, pointing instead to France as the culprit.

US state secretary John Kerry said in Abu Dhabi on Monday Iran had balked at the Geneva talks just as world powers were closing in on a deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

‘The P5+1 was unified on Saturday when we presented our proposal to the Iranians... But Iran couldn`t take it,’ said Kerry, who took part in the high-level talks.

Zarif, on his Twitter account, alluded to comments by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who has been pilloried in the Iranian media after reports emerged that he scuppered a potential deal.

‘Mister Secretary of State, is it Iran which changed half the text of the Americans on Thursday and made contrary statements on Friday morning?’ Zarif asked.

Late Monday, Zarif, played down Kerry’s remarks, reports daily Hurriyet.

BDST: 1604 HRS, NOV 12, 2013
RoR/RK