Iran welcomes uranium cooperation idea, will not halt atomic work

Iran welcomes proposals to work with other countries to enrich uranium but will not accept an offer that requires Tehran to halt its sensitive atomic work, its deputy chief nuclear negotiator said on Saturday. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said this week US-allied Gulf states were willing to set up a body to provide enriched uranium to Iran to defuse Tehran's standoff with the West.

An Iranian official said on Friday Tehran would be willing to join such a body. (Reuters)