DHAKA: Iran will not ship enriched uranium stockpiles out of the country, the Iranian deputy foreign minister said on Sunday, rejecting one key demand of world powers due to resume nuclear negotiations with Tehran this week.

Abbas Araqchi’s comment may disappoint Western officials, who want Iran to ship out its stockpile of uranium enriched to a fissile concentration of 20 percent, a short technical step away from weapons-grade material.

However, he signalled flexibility on other aspects of Iran’s uranium enrichment.

‘Of course we will negotiate regarding the form, amount, and various levels of (uranium) enrichment, but the shipping of materials out of the country is our red line,’ Araqchi was quoted as saying on Sunday on state television’s website, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1751 HRS, OCT 13, 2013
RoR/RIS