Iran to Suspend Uranium Enrichment Programme

Iran has agreed to suspend its disputed uranium enrichment programme and allow tougher UN inspections of its nuclear sites, after talks on Tuesday with British, French and German foreign ministers in Tehran.

Hasan Rowhani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would sign an additional protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty that would allow inspectors to enter any site they deem fit without notice.

He added that Iran would suspend nuclear enrichment for an "interim period" to express its goodwill and "create a new atmosphere of trust and confidence between Iran and the international community".

Reacting to the news, Scott McClellan, White House spokesman said that the suspension "would be a positive step in the right direction," adding that "full compliance [from Iran] will now be essential."

Under its uranium enrichment programme, Iran had argued it was permitted to enrich uranium up to 20 per cent, whereas the IAEA says enrichment above 5 per cent is inappropriate for civilian use.

The IAEA has given Iran until October 31 to agree to sign an additional protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty that would allow intrusive inspections, and clarify details about its programme, which the US and its allies suspect is intended to produce nuclear weapons.

Mr Rohani said Iran would probably sign the protocol before the next International Atomic Energy Agency board meeting on November 20.

After the EU ministers' meeting with Mr Rohani and Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's foreign minister, the two sides issued a joint statement, in which Iran pledged full co-operation with the IAEA, and in turn the European ministers promised that once Iran's international commitments were fully met, there could be "greater co-operation over modern technology and supplies".

Iran's foreign minister, Kamal Kharrazi said Iran was "ready for total transparency, because we are not pursuing an illegal programme".

The three European ministers were meeting Mohammad Khatami, Iran's president, later.

Diplomats said the EU ministers would offer Iran some assistance with developing a civilian nuclear energy programme, in part by offering transfers of nuclear energy technology and fuel, in return for Iran's full co-operation with the IAEA.

Iranian officials said on Monday they believed Iran had addressed concerns about its nuclear programme and that the unprecedented joint visit to Tehran by the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany would end the dispute.

"When the foreign ministers of these three countries come to Iran it is a good sign that means Iran's nuclear file has been closed," said a senior Iranian official.

The Bush administration, which refuses to talk directly to Iran, said it was in close consultation with its three European allies over the issue.

On Monday night Jack Straw, UK foreign secretary, said he had spoken to Colin Powell, US secretary of state, hours before his departure for Tehran. A State Department spokesman would not speculate over what the foreign ministers would tell Iran, but insisted that Iran should comply without being offered inducements.

A senior UK official said on Monday night he regarded the US position as "complementary" to Europe's initiative.