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Iran nuclear: Curbs on uranium enrichment begin Iran nuclear: Curbs on uranium enrichment begin
(35 minutes later)
Iran has begun curbing uranium enrichment under a deal which will also see international sanctions eased, the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) says.Iran has begun curbing uranium enrichment under a deal which will also see international sanctions eased, the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) says.
Earlier, centrifuges used for enrichment were disconnected at the Natanz plant, Iranian TV reported.Earlier, centrifuges used for enrichment were disconnected at the Natanz plant, Iranian TV reported.
The move is part of a nuclear deal reached with the US, Russia, China and European powers last November. The move is part of a six-month nuclear deal reached with the US, Russia, China and European powers last November.
The European Union has now responded by lifting some of its sanctions against Iran. The US and the EU have now responded by lifting some of their sanctions against Iran.
The EU's decision, taken by the bloc's foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, is expected to come into effect by the end of Monday. The suspension of sanctions for six months clears the way for Iran to resume petrochemical and other exports, worth billions to its economy.
It clears the way for Iran to resume petrochemical and other exports, worth billions to its economy. US estimates suggest the relief could be worth some $7bn (£4bn) to Iran.
Sanctions have been in force against Iran since 2006. The decision easing EU sanctions is expected to come into effect by the end of Monday.
However, most of the sanctions against Iran - which began in 2006 - will remain in force.
"This is an important day in our pursuit of ensuring that Iran has an exclusively peaceful nuclear programme," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters in Brussels ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting.
'Melting''Melting'
"The IAEA inspectors in the Natanz plant are disconnecting cascades," the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said. "The sanctions iceberg against Iran is melting." "The sanctions iceberg against Iran is melting," the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said earlier as he announced a halt to uranium enrichment at the Natanz plant.
The IAEA confirmed that, as of Monday, Iran had ceased enriching uranium above 5% purity at the Nantaz and Fordo facilities, according to a confidential report by its inspectors obtained by the BBC.The IAEA confirmed that, as of Monday, Iran had ceased enriching uranium above 5% purity at the Nantaz and Fordo facilities, according to a confidential report by its inspectors obtained by the BBC.
Iran has also begun diluting its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20%, and agreed the details of how UN inspectors will have increased access to Natanz and Fordo, the report adds.Iran has also begun diluting its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20%, and agreed the details of how UN inspectors will have increased access to Natanz and Fordo, the report adds.
The nuclear deal is designed to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons. Tehran denies trying to do so, saying its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.The nuclear deal is designed to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons. Tehran denies trying to do so, saying its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
"This is an important day in our pursuit of ensuring that Iran has an exclusively peaceful nuclear programme," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters in Brussels.
Estimates suggest the sanctions relief could be worth some $7bn (£4bn) to the Iranian economy.
The terms of November's deal were hammered out between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany, in Geneva.The terms of November's deal were hammered out between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany, in Geneva.
The agreement followed months of secret talks between Iranian and US officials.The agreement followed months of secret talks between Iranian and US officials.
In return for Iran's actions to restrict uranium enrichment, US President Barack Obama has said the US and the other five powers over the next six months will begin to implement "modest relief" so long as Iran fulfils its obligations. It is designed to provide breathing space while a more permanent deal can be reached.
"Meanwhile, we will continue to vigorously enforce the broader sanctions regime, and if Iran fails to meet its commitments we will move to increase our sanctions," he said.
The current six-month agreement is designed to provide breathing space while a more permanent deal can be reached.
Sounding a note of caution, former IAEA deputy director Olli Heinonen said that if Iran decided to renege on the deal, it would only need two to three weeks to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.Sounding a note of caution, former IAEA deputy director Olli Heinonen said that if Iran decided to renege on the deal, it would only need two to three weeks to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon.