Uranium

Iran said today that it has not rejected a U.N.-backed plan aimed at limiting the country's ability to make nuclear weapons, and it called for a technical panel to review the plan. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Iran conveyed its stand to the International Atomic Energy Agency two days ago. Mottaki is in Malaysia to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of eight Islamic countries. His statement could be seen as a softening of Iran's stand after senior lawmakers rejected the plan Saturday.

Iran will offer to amend a proposed deal to transfer the bulk of its nuclear material abroad to be transformed into fuel for a peaceful Tehran medical reactor, state television reported today. Iran will respond to an American-backed International Atomic Energy Agency proposal within 48 hours but its counteroffer will include "important adjustments," said Iran's state-controlled Al Alam, citing unnamed sources. The Arabic-language television news channel often broadcasts official news or floats trial balloons before other networks.

In an admission that is certain to heighten concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities, Tehran has informed the United Nations that it has been building a secret uranium enrichment plant, according to a statement released today by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Speaking before the Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh, President Obama said the plant is a "direct challenge" to global nonproliferation. He added, "Iran must comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions and make clear it is prepared to meet its responsibilities as a member of the community of nations."