Iran curbs enrichment as nuclear deal takes effect

Iran today halted production of 20 per cent enriched uranium, marking the coming into force of an interim deal with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme.
The UN atomic watchdog confirmed that Iran's partial nuclear freeze, part of a landmark deal struck in November with the P5+1 powers -- the US, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany -- began today as planned.
Mohammad Amiri, a top official of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, told the IRNA news agency that Tehran had kept to its part of the deal reached in Geneva.
"In line with the implementation of the Geneva joint plan of action, Iran suspended the production of 20 per cent enriched uranium in the presence of UN nuclear watchdog inspectors at Natanz and Fordo sites," Amiri said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report passed to member states that Iran "has ceased enriching uranium above five per cent" fissile purities at the Natanz and Fordo facilities.
The report, seen by AFP, said that Iran was also converting its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, a particular concern to the international community since it can be relatively easily be further purified to weapons-grade.

It added that Iran "is not conducting any further advances to its activities" at Natanz, Fordo or the heavy-water reactor under construction at Arak, which could in theory provide Iran with weapons-grade plutonium.
"It's all fine, all their requirements have been fulfilled," one diplomat told AFP.

The suspension starts the clock on negotiating a trickier long-term accord aimed at ending the Iran nuclear standoff and averting war once and for all, a process threatened, however, by possible new US sanctions.
On day one, Iran had to halt enrichment of uranium to medium levels and to begin diluting half its stockpile of this material.
Once the IAEA gives the thumbs-up, EU foreign ministers will adopt legislation loosening sanctions on items including car parts and gold, followed later today by a similar move in Washington.
Over the next six months Iran will also not instal or switch on new nuclear machines and will grant the IAEA more access, including daily visits to the Fordo and Natanz enrichment facilities.