Iran notifies IAEA of enrichment plan

Iran has formally notified the International Atomic Energy Agency its plan to enrich uranium to a higher. This is raising concerns at the UN nuclear watchdog that Iran might damage any chance of saving a proposed nuclear fuel supply deal.

Iranian envoy to IAEA told the country's English language state-run TV channel the government planned to further enrich at least some of its supply of low-enriched uranium.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran Envoy to IAEA, said, "My government today officially reflected to the agency the intention of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to start its nuclear enrichment activities of uranium up to twenty percent, I repeat, up to twenty percent, in order to produce the required fuel for Tehran research reactor."

He also says the IAEA inspectors overseeing Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment will be allowed to fully monitor the process.

He also says Iran offered to leave some nuclear material under the custody of the IAEA to demonstrate the desire for a peaceful solution, but says the proposal was ignored.

The IAEA confirmed Iran's notification. Agency Director General, Yukiya Amano, is said to be concerned, believing the decision will heighten suspicions Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons. The IAEA reiterated its readiness to play an intermediary role on the issue.