Tehran  - The Iranian envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday that there would be no direct cooperation with France in a proposed uranium exchange deal.

"We have declared that we want our cooperation in this within a contract with Russia. France and the United States can join the deal, but indirectly," said Ali-Asghar Soltanieh in an interview with the news agencies ISNA and Fars.

According to the draft agreement, Iran is to ship 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium (3.5 per cent) to Russia before the end of the year for further enrichment (20 per cent), to be used as fuel in Iran's medical-purpose reactor in Tehran.

The three-day meeting between Iran, Russia, France and the United States ended Wednesday in Vienna with no final agreement, but with a proposal to be mulled by the four sides until Friday.

"We have not reached a final agreement with France (for direct cooperation)," the Iranian IAEA envoy said.

Iran rejects direct nuclear cooperation with France because of a dispute over Tehran's minority share in France's uranium enrichment company. France has been vocal in calling for new sanctions if Iran does not cooperate on its contentious nuclear programme.

Soltanieh, however, said he hoped the final agreement would suit all sides and at the same time meet Iran's interests. (dpa)