World powers have compromised on a demand that Iran commit to a long-term moratorium on uranium enrichment and are asking only for suspension during talks on Tehran's nuclear program, diplomats said Wednesday.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana listens to the Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, unseen, during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 6, 2006. The incentives designed to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear program contain 'positive steps' and 'ambiguities,' Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Tuesday.[AP]

In another concession, Iran would be allowed to carry out uranium conversion -- a precursor to enrichment -- if it agrees to multinational talks, the diplomats said. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to divulge the contents of the offer made by six countries Tuesday in a bid to defuse the Iranian nuclear standoff.

Such changes to long-standing international demands on enrichment are important, because they signal possible readiness to accept some limited form of the activity, despite fears that it can be misused to make the fissile core of nuclear warheads.

Since talks between key European nations and Iran broke off in August, the United States, France, Britain and Germany have publicly said Iran must commit to a long-term moratorium on enrichment to establish confidence as a precondition for talks on the nuclear standoff.

Diplomats have told the AP that Germany -- which participated in drawing up the six-nation package of perks and punishments meant to ultimately wean Iran off enrichment ¡ª has been advocating that Tehran be allowed such activity on a small scale.

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