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DUBAI: Iran has opened its doors to China as a possible supplier of enriched uranium fuel for its reactor in Tehran amid friction with France which has so far been assigned to play a major role in a possible deal between Iran and the global powers.

“China is an important country and capable of producing nuclear fuel. Thus if it is ready to take part in this regard and supply fuel, Iran would welcome its participation,” said Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday at a press conference in Tehran.

Mr. Mottaki’s remarks coincide with growing tensions between Iran and France, over Tehran’s nuclear programme. In remarks published on Monday in the British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner warned that Israel would launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear sites if the West does not work out a deal with Tehran on uranium enrichment. “They [the Israelis] will not tolerate an Iranian bomb,” he said.