Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran wants more talks on a UN-drafted nuclear deal because it needs guarantees it will receive reactor fuel, a senior official said Monday.

Western powers have urged Iran to accept a draft deal in which it would send most of its low-enriched uranium (LEU) abroad by the end of the year for further enrichment to turn it into fuel for a medical reactor in Tehran.

Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh told Reuters more talks were needed ""in order to ensure that our technical concerns, and especially the issue of the guarantee of the fuel supply, are taken into consideration.""

Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful electricity generation only.

Senior lawmakers have voiced deep misgivings about parting with the bulk of Iran's LEU, seen as a strategic asset and a strong bargaining chip.

""We are ready for the next round of technical discussions in Vienna at the IAEA headquarters,"" Soltanieh said by telephone, adding that the International Atomic Energy Agency -- the UN nuclear watchdog -- should now arrange a suitable date.

The IAEA had no immediate comment.

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