Iran to suspend uranium enrichment voluntary

Iran agreed voluntary to suspend &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2001/07/23/10791.html ' target=_blank>uranium enrichment and all linked activities on November 22, after two months of difficult and complicated negotiations with the European Union.

Since the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sept. 18 urged &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/economics/2002/07/26/33288.html ' target=_blank>Iran in a resolution to suspend uranium enrichment activities, the EU has been making efforts to persuade the adamant Iranians to freeze the activities accordingly.

Meanwhile, the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/98/386/14460_Letter.html ' target=_blank>United States reinforced its pressure on the EU and the UN nuclear watchdog, insisting that the Iranian case be referred to the UN Security Council, Xinhua News reported.

According to the CBC News, Iranian diplomats said Sunday that their government had sent a letter outlining the decision to the UN's nuclear watchdog.

The agreement is aimed at heading off the threat of UN sanctions before a deadline of Nov. 25.

ElBaradei's report on Monday says his agency has accounted for all nuclear material declared by Iran in the past year, and was certain none of it was used in weapons programs.

But ElBaradei also noted that after two decades of clandestine nuclear research, it's possible Iran has undeclared material which could have gone towards weapons development.

Oil-rich Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at the peaceful generation of electricity, not at developing nuclear weapons, as the United States alleges.