Iran agrees to nuclear fuel swap, with caveats  

12 ِDec. Iran is ready to exchange the bulk of its stockpile of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel rods — as proposed by the U.N. — but according to its own mechanisms and timetable, the foreign minister said Saturday.

The minister's remarks come just days before an expected meeting between the U.S. and allies to discuss new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The offer, however, falls far short of the conditions set by the international community.

Speaking to reporters at a regional security conference in Bahrain, Manochehr Mottaki said Iran agreed with a U.N. deal proposed in October in which up to 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of its uranium would be exchanged for fuel rods to power its research reactor.

"We accepted the proposal in principle," he said through a translator. "We suggested in the first phase we give you 400 kilograms of 3.5 percent enriched uranium and you give us the equivalent in 20 percent uranium." ... "We gave a clear answer and we responded and our answer was we accepted in principle but there were differences in the mechanism," he said, suggesting the exchange take place on Iran's Kish island, in the Persian Gulf.

cavet:  1. پیش بیتی احتیاطی a warning to consider something before acting further, or a statement which limits a more general statement. A warning against certain acts: "a caveat against unfair practices".  2. (law) اخطار a formal notice filed with a court or officer to suspend a proceeding until filer is given a hearing: "a caveat filed against the probate of a will".

Diplomats: Iran censured at UN nuclear meeting  27 Nov. Iranian officials shrugged off approval of the resolution by 25 members of the 35-nation board of the IAEA. But the U.S. and its allies hinted of new U.N. sanctions if Tehran remains defiant.

The West said some time remained for Tehran to come around and accept a specific offer that would delay its ability to make a nuclear weapon as well as engage in broader talks with the ultimate goal of persuading it to mothball its enrichment program.

The support of Moscow and Beijing also appeared to signal their possible acceptance of any new Western push for a fourth set of U.N sanctions, should Tehran continue shunning international overtures meant to reach agreements that reduce concerns about its nuclear ambitions.

Strong support for the resolution at the meeting was also notable. Only three nations — Cuba, Venezuela and Malaysia — voted against the document, with six abstentions and one member absent. Even most nonaligned IAEA board members abandoned Tehran, despite their traditional backing of the Islamic Republic.

 30 Nov. Iran had no intention of building 10 new nuclear facilities until it was strongly rebuked by the U.N. nuclear watchdog over its nuclear activities, a top official said Monday.

 censure: سرزنش كردن سرزنش شدن  shrugg of: با بي اعتنايي تلقي كردن  rebuke: ملامت  كردن