DHAKA: Iran has begun curbing uranium enrichment, state TV says, under an agreement which will also trigger an easing of international sanctions.

Centrifuges used for enrichment were disconnected at the Nantaz plant, according to TV, reports the BBC.

The move is part of a deal reached with the US, Russia, China and European powers last November.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, will now confirm whether Tehran is implementing its side of the agreement.

This should pave the way for partial suspension of EU and US sanctions, allowing Iran to restart petrochemical exports and trade in gold, worth billions of dollars.
`Melting`

‘The IAEA inspectors in the Natanz plant are disconnecting cascades,’ the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said.

‘The sanctions iceberg against Iran is melting.’

The West accuses Teheran of seeking nuclear weapons, but it denies the claim, saying its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.

Verification by IAEA inspectors that the terms of the deal are being implemented by Teheran is expected to happen by the end of Monday.

BDST: 1457 HRS, JAN 20, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor