As the UN deadline expired on Friday, Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna that it was favorably examining a plan designed to defuse the standoff over the country's nuclear program, but that it could not respond before the middle of next week.

However, Iranian officials sent out mixed signals on Friday, including the more negative message that Tehran preferred to acquire enriched uranium abroad rather than cede control over its own stockpiles.

Under the UN brokered agreement that is backed by the world's major powers Iran would commit to shipping enriched uranium to Russia for further processing, reducing the likelihood of it being used for nuclear weapons.

Iran has persistently denied it is pursuing a nuclear weapons program and that the uranium is needed for peaceful purposes, such as a research reactor for medical research in Tehran.

The deal reportedly calls on Iran to hand over 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium (LEU) it has at a plant in Natanz by the end of the year. Russia would then enrich the material to the 19.75 percent needed in Tehran's medical reactor.

The draft agreement, drawn up at talks in Vienna earlier this week, was based on a general understanding reached with Iran in Geneva on October 1.

Western diplomats had initially warned they would not accept any further procrastination attempt by Iran, but Washington said on Friday it was prepared to wait until next week for Iran's reply.

"I think we can stretch things a few days," said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly in Washington following Iran's announcement. "But we're not going to wait forever."


nk/dpa/AFP/AP/Reuters
Editor: Andreas Illmer