Iran Ready To Negotiate On Large-Scale Enrichment

At the same time, Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki told a news conference in Tehran today that the smaller research-scale enrichment that Iran began in February will continue. He said enrichment of uranium is Iran's right as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Mottaki said Iran is prepared to talk to the international commmunity about large-scale enrichment, which is what the country requires to produce enough fuel for a nuclear reactor.

Iran's first nuclear reactor is being built with Russian assistance at Bushehr in the southwestern part of the country. It is is due to come on line later this year.   

(AP)