Iran backs uranium plan outline, but seeks changes

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran accepted the general framework of a U.N.-draft nuclear deal Tuesday, but said it would seek "important changes" that could test the willingness of world powers to make concessions in exchange for a pact to rein in Tehran's ability to make atomic warheads.

It was unclear how far Iran would push for those changes. Already, Iran has raised a potential roadblock: It wants a step-by-step approach to send low-enriched uranium stockpile out of the country rather than the big single shipment called for under U.N. provisions.

Western powers say it's critical for Iran to send out at least 70 percent of its uranium store in one load to eliminate — at least temporarily — its options to make a nuclear weapon. A significantly lower amount or gradual shipments by Iran could jeopardize a key part of the proposal, which was reached after talks last week that included the United States.

For the moment, Iran has signaled that it agrees to the plan's basic premise: sending its low-enriched uranium to Russia for further processing. The announcement on state media marked a major step for Iran, which has been reluctant to give up full control of the nuclear enrichment cycle.

Tehran still may be a long way from finalizing a deal. Western leaders were anticipating additional caveats by the Islamic republic, which is conducting its negotiations in public with a trickle of hints and statements on state-run media.

Iran's state-run Arabic-language channel Al-Alam cited an unidentified official as saying Iran will officially reply on the deal within 48 hours — or Thursday in Tehran. Other reports said it could Friday.

Iran "will agree to the general framework" of the plan "with a request for important changes," the official said.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed exasperation, saying Tehran is trying to have the proposal "thoroughly reworked."

"It cannot take forever. We wait for answers," he said in Luxembourg.

The plan was formalized by the United Nations last week after talks between Iran and the United States, Russia and France. It calls for Iran to ship 70 percent of its enriched uranium abroad for further enrichment. The U.S. and its allies back the deal because it would at least temporarily leave Iran's uranium stockpiles too low to build a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any intention to develop a bomb.