Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Iran has diluted half of its higher-grade enriched uranium stockpile in accordance with the deal reached in Geneva with the 5 +1 group (United States, Russia, China, Britain France and Germany), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in an update. In response, the US has authorised the release of US$ 450 million in frozen Iranian funds.
Talks currently underway are based on a temporary agreement signed in November 2013, which provides for greater checks on Iranian sites and nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of international sanctions.
The international community wants Iran to cooperate, allow inspections and de-weaponise its programme. For its part, Tehran has always denied that it wants to build nuclear weapons, but has tried to shield many of its sensitive sites from scrutiny.
The full IAEA report is expected next week. Since January, when the temporary agreement came into effect, it has had inspectors on the ground, issuing monthly reports. However, the interim agreement is set to expire in July.
The 5 +1 group wants to finalise a deal by that date. The aim is to have Iran permanently reduce the scope of its uranium enrichment programme and give UN inspectors more oversight in exchange for an end to all sanctions.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has backed the talks, but stressed that Tehran would never give up its nuclear programne.