Iran is denying reports that it has reached an agreement with the United States aimed at reducing Tehran's ability to make nuclear arms.
The Associated Press on January 2 cited two unnamed diplomats as saying Iran had tentatively agreed to ship much of its surplus enriched uranium -- the key material for nuclear weapons -- to Russia.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on January 3, however, that no deal had been reached.
Iran says it does not want nuclear arms but is negotiating with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany on cuts to its atomic program in hopes of ending Western sanctions.
Iran has repeatedly refused to export much of its enriched uranium, something the United States says would reduce Tehran's bomb-making ability.
Nuclear talks are set to resume on January 15 in Geneva.
The deadline for a political framework agreement is set for March 1.
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