Iran agreed to a compromise on the agenda text of a global conference called to consider ways to strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, taking a surprise turn under pressure from allies to end a weeklong deadlock preventing talks, Tuesday.
Tehran's decision saved the meeting from a likely collapse, allowing delegations to move on to their main purpose ¡ª beginning to lay the ground work for a 2010 conference that is to review and possibly revise the pact to make it more effective in curbing the spread of nuclear arms.
The current meeting has no decision-making powers. But its failure would have damaged chances for progress in further preparatory sessions by putting into question the ability of nations to reach consensus decisions ¡ª the usual procedure for such treaties.
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