No matter what party you support, news like this is good for the US.
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran has agreed to allow tougher U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and to suspend its uranium enrichment program, a top Iranian official announced after meeting with three European foreign ministers.
Dr. Hassan Rowhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran is voluntarily making the moves to "promote international good will, create stability, and put an end to tensions."
Rowhani said that Iran would also cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said the suspension of uranium enrichment would begin immediately but that some portions of the plan must be approved by the Iranian parliament. He gave no timetable for when that would happen.
Rowhani made the announcement following a session Tuesday in Iran with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The announcement "appears to be a breakthrough in compliance," CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi earlier told reporters that his country still had the right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.
"I insisted on transparency, and I also announced Iran's readiness for full transparency because we are not pursuing an illegitimate (nuclear) program, but definitely our rights must be respected. Whatever is legitimate for us must be respected," Kharrazi told state television following a round of talks.
The United States strongly suspects it does have one. Iranian officials insist Tehran's nuclear program is geared solely to electricity production.
Responding to Iran's assertion it has the right to produce electricity from nuclear sources, the UK's Straw said earlier: "We respect the right of a sovereign nation to have a civil nuclear program, but not to be involved in any nuclear proliferation program."
Observers say Iran has adopted a notably softer tone on the nuclear issue in recent days, and Khatami has even hinted Iran may halt uranium enrichment which Washington says may be behind a covert nuclear arms bid.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has warned that Iran's case may go to the U.N. Security Council if he is unable to verify in his November 20 report that Iran has no intention of building nuclear arms.
Diplomats said the EU ministers have demanded that Iran cooperate fully with the IAEA.
In return, the ministers would offer to recognize Iran's right to a civilian nuclear energy program, give some technical assistance and guarantee Iran's access to imported fuel for nuclear power plants.
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran has agreed to allow tougher U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and to suspend its uranium enrichment program, a top Iranian official announced after meeting with three European foreign ministers.
Dr. Hassan Rowhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran is voluntarily making the moves to "promote international good will, create stability, and put an end to tensions."
Rowhani said that Iran would also cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said the suspension of uranium enrichment would begin immediately but that some portions of the plan must be approved by the Iranian parliament. He gave no timetable for when that would happen.
Rowhani made the announcement following a session Tuesday in Iran with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The announcement "appears to be a breakthrough in compliance," CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi earlier told reporters that his country still had the right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.
"I insisted on transparency, and I also announced Iran's readiness for full transparency because we are not pursuing an illegitimate (nuclear) program, but definitely our rights must be respected. Whatever is legitimate for us must be respected," Kharrazi told state television following a round of talks.
The United States strongly suspects it does have one. Iranian officials insist Tehran's nuclear program is geared solely to electricity production.
Responding to Iran's assertion it has the right to produce electricity from nuclear sources, the UK's Straw said earlier: "We respect the right of a sovereign nation to have a civil nuclear program, but not to be involved in any nuclear proliferation program."
Observers say Iran has adopted a notably softer tone on the nuclear issue in recent days, and Khatami has even hinted Iran may halt uranium enrichment which Washington says may be behind a covert nuclear arms bid.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has warned that Iran's case may go to the U.N. Security Council if he is unable to verify in his November 20 report that Iran has no intention of building nuclear arms.
Diplomats said the EU ministers have demanded that Iran cooperate fully with the IAEA.
In return, the ministers would offer to recognize Iran's right to a civilian nuclear energy program, give some technical assistance and guarantee Iran's access to imported fuel for nuclear power plants.
