Iranian Official Says Tehran Ready To Discuss Limits To Uranium Enrichment

A bank of centrifuges in what Iranian state television says is the fuel enrichment plant at Natanz

Iran's deputy foreign minister says Tehran is willing to discuss limits to its uranium enrichment but will not suspend the process completely.

Abbas Araqchi said in a September 29 interview with state-run TV that "the frameworks, level, amount, form, and place of enrichment are liable to negotiation."

But he said Tehran would only negotiate if the West recognized its "right to enrichment."

Araqchi's comments come after Iranian officials held talks with representatives from the major powers last week on the framework for October 15-16 negotiations on its nuclear program scheduled in Geneva.

Western countries want Iran to suspend all enrichment of uranium beyond the level required to fuel nuclear power plants and close its underground enrichment facilities.

Tehran insists its nuclear program is designed for peaceful purposes, and not to build an atomic bomb.

Based on reporting by AFP and Fars