Iran May Accept 'Framework' of Nuclear Agreement

Iran's state television says the country will accept the general framework of a United Nations-brokered uranium deal, but will demand some "important changes."

The network reported the development Tuesday saying the comments were made by unnamed officials with ties to Iran's nuclear negotiating team. The network also says Iran will offer its formal response to the U.N.-proposal "within 48 hours."

The proposal from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would require Iran to send its uranium abroad for low-level enrichment. The plan is aimed at preventing Iran from enriching uranium to the point that it can be used for nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, President Mahmoud says Iran will continue its nuclear program. He says when an "illegal regime" has nuclear weapons, it is impossible for other countries to be denied the right to have "peaceful nuclear energy."

President Ahmadinejad's comments Tuesday were an apparent reference to Israel. He made the remarks while meeting with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has voiced support for Iran's nuclear program.

Elsewhere, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations with Iran. Tuesday, he accused Tehran of using delay tactics.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country might agree to the United Nations draft proposal, which would allow another country to enrich uranium for an Iranian research reactor.

But Mottaki was also quoted by Iranian state media as saying Tehran will continue to enrich some of its own uranium.

Meanwhile, a four-member team of United Nations experts conducted a second inspection Monday of Iran's newly revealed uranium enrichment facility near the city of Qom.

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors are trying to determine if Tehran is using the facility for peaceful purposes, as Iranian authorities insist.