News

VIENNA, Austria - Six world powers have readied a resolution critical of Iran's nuclear program, diplomats said yesterday as Tehran suggested it was still ready to discuss a U.N.-backed plan meant to delay Iran's ability to make a nuclear weapon.

The plan would have Iran export its uranium for enrichment in Russia and France, for conversion into fuel rods to be returned to Iran about a year later.

The six powers embraced the plan because it would have committed Iran to ship out about 70 percent of its enriched-uranium stockpile. Tehran initially appeared to agree, only to backtrack in recent weeks.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said yesterday that no one in Iran "ever said ... that we are opposed to shipping out our uranium," adding, "What has been discussed is the method to ship out this material."