Iran Ready to Swap Uranium

Iran is ready to exchange the bulk of its enriched uranium for nuclear fuel rods—as proposed by the UN—but according to its own mechanisms and timetable, the foreign minister said today. Manochehr Mottaki said Iran would swap 2,600 of its 3,300 pounds for rods, which cannot be made into weapons, needed to power its research reactor.

Iran has been giving mixed signals over the deal, including several statements from lawmakers rejecting it outright. Mottaki maintained, however, that, "We gave a clear answer and our answer was we accepted in principle but there were differences in the mechanism," suggesting the exchange take place on an Iranian island. (More Iran stories.)