Suspension of nuke plan subject to progress in talks with EU: Iran

Tehran agreed Sunday to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment programme during talks with three European Union states, Britain France and Germany.

The next round of negotiations, due to commence in mid-December, is aimed at building guarantees on Iran's peaceful nuclear intentions as well as drawing up a package of incentives.

"They will give the results of their work three months later. If the results are positive, it (the enrichment suspension) would continue," Iranian President Mohammad Khatami told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

"It is a positive accord that respects the national interests of Iran," he said, but warned that "if the other side does not respect its commitments, we will not have any obligations either."

The deal struck late on Sunday came just ahead of a November 25 meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is to examine whether Iran's cooperation with an ongoing investigation has been adequate.

The United States, which accuses the clerical regime here of seeking nuclear weapons, want the IAEA board to refer Iran to the UN Security Council where sanctions could be imposed.