Iran, powers get deal draft for approval by Friday

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei spoke at the conclusion on Wednesday of 2-1/2 days of tense, high-stakes talks, plagued by delays, involving Iran, France, Russia and the United States at IAEA headquarters.

Diplomats said ElBaradei's draft contained the powers' call for Iran to send some 75 percent of its enriched uranium reserve abroad before the end of this year for conversion into fuel for a Tehran reactor producing medical isotopes.

This would reduce the high risk cited by the West of Iran, under suspicion over nuclear secrecy and restrictions on IAEA inspections, using a growing low-enriched uranium stockpile for further enrichment into material suitable for atom bombs.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Its delegation chief said the Vienna talks were constructive but did not say whether the Islamic Republic's leadership would endorse the draft accord.

"I have circulated a draft agreement that in my judgement reflects a balanced approach to how to move forward. The deadline for the parties to give, I hope, an affirmation action is Friday," ElBaradei told reporters.

"I cross my fingers that by Friday we have an OK by all the parties concerned," he said, underlining uncertainty whether Iran would come on board after it cast doubt on details of the deal it tentatively agreed to in Geneva talks on October 1.

STEP TO EASE CRISIS HANGS IN BALANCE

"Everybody is aware (this) transaction is a very important confidence-building measure that can defuse a crisis going on for a number of years, and open space for (further) negotiations" on other outstanding disputes, ElBaradei said.

"There have been a lot of technical, legal and policy issues, issues of confidence and trust and that is why it has taken us some time and that is why we need to send the agreement to capitals for final approval," he added.