Iran has agreed to suspend almost all of its activities related to uranium enrichment as a result of prolonged talks with the European Union (EU), a top nuclear official announced in Tehran Sunday.  

"We have agreed to suspend almost all activities related to the enrichment," Hassan Rowhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and chief nuclear negotiator, told reporters. Rowhani's announcement came after two days of sequel talks with ambassadors of the European trio of France, Germany and Britain in Tehran.

He said that Iran had accepted the ordains of the resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September, which urges Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and fully cooperate with the inspectors to clear up all related issues. "What we have accepted in fact runs accordant with the urges of the September resolution of the IAEA," Rowhani said. Meanwhile, it is reported that the IAEA has received an official statement of Iran that notified that the Islamic republic had suspended uranium enrichment and the related activities. Hossein Moussavian, a top Iranian security official, said the suspension would go on during further negotiations between Iran and the EU.

The IAEA will meet on Nov. 25, with Iran's nuclear program high on the agenda.

If Iran fails to clear itself on the purpose of its nuclear research, its case will possibly be referred to the UN Security Council, which may inflict harsh sanctions on the country. Tehran has been asserting that its nuclear program is fully peaceful.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2004)