This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27065532
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Iran has cut higher-enriched uranium stock 'by half' | Iran has cut higher-enriched uranium stock 'by half' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Iran has neutralised half of its higher-enriched uranium stockpile, as per a deal agreed earlier this year, the world's nuclear watchdog says. | Iran has neutralised half of its higher-enriched uranium stockpile, as per a deal agreed earlier this year, the world's nuclear watchdog says. |
The International Atomic Energy Agency has been checking Iran's adherence to the deal, struck with six world powers. | The International Atomic Energy Agency has been checking Iran's adherence to the deal, struck with six world powers. |
The US has authorised the release of $450m (£270m) in frozen Iranian funds following the IAEA's latest findings. | |
Iran agreed to curb its uranium enrichment in return for partial sanctions relief in November. | |
The six world powers, known as the P5+1, fear Iran's enriched uranium could be used to make a nuclear bomb. | |
Iran says its nuclear work is peaceful. | |
'Positive sign' | |
Iran has diluted half of its higher-grade enriched uranium stockpile, the IAEA said in a confidential report. | |
This will be seen as a positive sign by the West as it lengthens the time Iran would need to make a nuclear bomb, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna. | This will be seen as a positive sign by the West as it lengthens the time Iran would need to make a nuclear bomb, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna. |
The US State Department said Washington was releasing the instalment of funds - previously frozen as punishment for Iran's nuclear programme - because "all sides have kept the commitments" they signed up to. | |
Diplomats confirmed the conclusion of the report with the BBC. The full report is due to be published next week. | Diplomats confirmed the conclusion of the report with the BBC. The full report is due to be published next week. |
The report also said that progress in commissioning a nuclear conversion plant, part of the interim agreement, had been delayed, Reuters reported. | The report also said that progress in commissioning a nuclear conversion plant, part of the interim agreement, had been delayed, Reuters reported. |
Reduce the scope | |
The IAEA, which has inspectors in Iran, issues monthly updates on whether Iran is complying with the interim deal with the P5+1. | |
The temporary agreement came into effect in January, and ends in July. | |
Iran and the six powers involved - the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - are keen to start drafting the terms of a new deal by May, but correspondents say they are still some way apart. | Iran and the six powers involved - the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - are keen to start drafting the terms of a new deal by May, but correspondents say they are still some way apart. |
The P5+1 wants Iran to agree to permanently reduce the scope of its enrichment programme and to give UN inspectors more oversight. | |
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has backed talks with the P5+1 but warned Tehran will never give up its nuclear programme. | |
So far, the six world powers have been united in their negotiations but Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine last month has caused tension between Moscow and the West. | So far, the six world powers have been united in their negotiations but Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine last month has caused tension between Moscow and the West. |
Russia and Iran are said to be negotiating an oil-for-goods deal thought to be worth up to $20bn (£12bn), which the US says would undermine the nuclear talks. | Russia and Iran are said to be negotiating an oil-for-goods deal thought to be worth up to $20bn (£12bn), which the US says would undermine the nuclear talks. |