Iran may not want to ship most of its enriched uranium in one go

Under the United Nations proposed plan, most of Iran's enriched uranium would be sent abroad to be turned into fuel rods for research use. This is seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it needs, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons.

Iran says they have some technical and economic considerations on that. Two days ago, they passed their views and observations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), so it is very much possible to establish a technical commission in order to review and reconsider all these issues.

The UN-brokered plan would require Iran to send about 1,200kg (2,600lb), or 70%, of its low-enriched uranium to Russia by the year's end for processing. Subsequently, France would convert the uranium into fuel rods for use in a reactor in Tehran that produces medical isotopes.

Observers in Tehran say the government may not want to ship most of its enriched uranium in one go - a condition the Western powers may not accept.