( CNN ) -- Iran 's atomic energy chief said Wednesday that no deal has been struck to export uranium for enrichment abroad , a demand of Western nations worried that Tehran plans to use its program to build nuclear weapons . `` The discussions are still being conducted , and we will inform the nation of any final agreements , '' said Ali Akbar Salehi , director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran , according to the state-run Iranian Labour News Agency . Asked what countries in addition to France and Brazil were under consideration , he cited an Asian country , but would not specify which one . Salehi 's remarks came a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state-run Press TV that Iran would have `` no problem '' turning over most of its low-enriched uranium to the West for further enrichment . Iranian diplomats had initially accepted the idea , which was proposed by the West , but then rejected a plan put forth by the International Atomic Energy Agency , the atomic watchdog of the United Nations . `` In our opinion , there are no issues with the exchange '' of 3-to-5 percent enriched uranium for 20 percent enriched uranium , Ahmadinejad said . He added that , if the West were to refuse to return the enriched fuel , world opinion would shift . `` If they do n't live up to their agreement , the international atmosphere will change in our favor , '' he said . They [ Western countries ] can come and build 20 nuclear power plants for us ; Russia , France and the United States can come and sign contracts and build the power plants . It serves our interests as well as theirs . Of course if they do n't come to do this , we will reach a point to build our own power plants . '' Iran insists its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes .
Iran 's atomic energy chief says no deal struck to export uranium for enrichment abroad . This is a demand of Western nations worried that Iran plans to build nuclear weapons . President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran has `` no problem '' turning over uranium . Iran insists its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes .