Tehran: The head of the Iran's atomic agency says it will not enrich uranium to a higher level if the West provides fuel for the Tehran research reactor.
Ali Akbar Salehi told the state TV late Monday, "whenever they provide the fuel, we will halt production of 20 percent."
Iran is set to start enriching uranium to 20 percent on Tuesday.
Uranium enriched to low levels is used for power plants, but when enriched up to 90 percent, becomes a weapon.
Iran maintains its program is only for peaceful purposes but the West fears its uranium enrichment activities could produce weapons.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Sunday that his country would enrich at least some of the country's stockpile of uranium to 20 percent up from 3.5.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 13:19