VIENNA - The United States and Europe have agreed on a compromise plan to accept expanded nuclear activities by Iran, but only if the enrichment process - a possible pathway to nuclear arms - is moved to Russia, senior officials and diplomats said Thursday.
If accepted by Iran, the proposal could end a tug-of-war over whether to refer the Islamic republic to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
The officials and diplomats, who demanded anonymity in exchange for discussing the strategy, said the plan would allow Iran to continue converting raw uranium into the gas that is spun by centrifuges into enriched uranium, the Associated Press reported. But actual enrichment would take place in Russia.
Depending on its level, enrichment can be used to generate energy - Iran's stated interest - or make nuclear weapons - something the United States and its allies say Tehran wants to do.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed hopes that a deal could be reached with Iran. But she would not confirm that the United States would back the deal as described by the officials.
