VIENNA, Nov 10: Iran handed on Monday the UN nuclear watchdog a letter agreeing to tougher inspections of its nuclear programme and informed the agency it was suspending the enrichment of uranium, the Iranian ambassador to the IAEA said.

Ali Akbar Salehi said he had “handed over the letter” to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei.

He said he had also informed Mr ElBaradei that Iran “will start the process of suspending our uranium enrichment activities effective tomorrow (Tuesday)”.

IAEA Spokesman Mark Gwozdecky confirmed that the letter and notification of suspension had been handed over.

These are two key steps the IAEA has said Iran must take before the UN nuclear watchdog meets on Nov 20 to decide whether Iran is in compliance with the NPT and whether it is hiding an atomic weapons programme.

A ruling that Iran is in non-compliance with NPT safeguards could lead to UN sanctions.

The United States accuses Iran, which is building a nuclear power reactor with Russian help, of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran vehemently denies the charge.

The IAEA had in September asked Iran to do three main things before the Nov 20 board meeting: fully disclose its nuclear programme, agree to tougher inspections and suspend the enrichment of uranium that could be used to make the bomb.

Iran submitted on Oct 23 what it said was a full report on its nuclear programme, eight days before a deadline for this set by the IAEA fell on Oct 31.

“This means that Iran has taken all the necessary steps to win the confidence of the international community and to show the world that Iran wants to resolve peacefully” questions about its nuclear programme,” Mr Salehi said.

He said Iran “has shown its goodwill regarding this issue and would like others to react positively to this move of Iran so that once at least the world could witness that cooperation, mutual understanding and engagement can bear fruit.”—AFP