New Delhi: Iran says it is willing to negotiate the number of uranium-enriching centrifuges it uses for research.
However, it emphasised that it would not stop running the devices entirely as the UN Security Council has called for.
The comments by Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi were the clearest sign so far that Iran could curb some centrifuge work.
It seems like an effort to defuse a standoff, which could lead to sanctions or even military action against the Islamic Republic.
The five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, on the other hand appear to be inching towards a tough resolution.
It is seeking an end to Iran's uranium enrichment programme, with the Bush administration signaling that it is prepared for a major compromise.
Russia and China have so far opposed attempts by Washington to make the 15-member Council adopt resolution-containing threats under Chapter seven of the Charter, which allows enforcement of the decision.
When the United States attacked Iraq, it had sought to justify the action by arguing that the Chapter seven resolutions authorised it to take action.
Fearing replay of the scenario in case of Iran, Russia has expressed its vehement opposition.
However, the New York Times reported on Wednesday that Washington is now prepared to invoke only Article 41 of the Chapter seven and not the whole Chapter.
The article does not make any reference to use of force.
Diplomats said that they were not certain that Moscow would be agreeable but there is a strong possibility that it would support the change.
Earlier the Bush administration had rejected suggestions that the resolution invoke only article 41.
The Article 41 says the Security Council may decide what measures, not involving the use of armed force, are to be employed to give effect to its decisions. A
And it may call upon the members of the United Nations to apply such measures.
These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile, American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet with top diplomats of Russia, China and European nations in Vienna to discuss the resolution with a view get it through the Council this week itself.
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She is also expected to discuss the package of incentives and disincentives that Europeans are putting together to entice Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, which Washington and its Western allies feel is aimed a developing a nuclear weapon.
However, Iran maintains that its intentions are purely peaceful and the enriched uranium is intended for its reactors producing power.
The Times says that President Bush called President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Jacques Chirac of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, to press for an agreement on a Security Council resolution.
It demands that Iran stop enriching uranium or face possible punitive action.
However, this step might not necessarily satisfy the Western powers, particularly the United States, which fears Iran could use enrichment facilities to make atomic weapons.
Iran meanwhile reiterates that it's nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful.
With inputs from PTI
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