Signs that Iran would agree to an International Atomic Energy Agency-brokered deal on its nuclear program were "not positive," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in Lebanon Friday.
"I do not know what the results in Vienna today are, but the signs we received [from Iran] this morning are not positive. It is a pity," Kouchner said at a news conference in Beirut after meeting senior officials.
"The day is not over, and I still have hope, but [Iran's refusal] would be unfortunate for the talks in Vienna," he added.
"France hopes a peaceful solution--a peaceful one--will be found and accepted, and that nuclear development is not used for military purposes. That much is clear."
Iran had said during consultations at the IAEA in Vienna this week that it didn't want France to be part of any deal.
While France has been a tough critic of Iran's nuclear drive, which Western nations fear is aimed at building a nuclear bomb, it confirmed Friday that it had approved IAEA proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock.
"The draft agreement suits France. We have made this known in an official manner," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters in Vienna.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei "is waiting for a clear response from Iran," he added.
Earlier this week, ElBaradei set a Friday deadline for France, Iran, Russia and the U.S. to give their formal approval to an arrangement under which Russia would further enrich Iranian low-enriched uranium on Russian soil.
Russia was the first to give the official nod, followed by France and the U.S.