Iran has taken the first step to eliminate its stockpile of enriched uranium gas as agreed by an interim deal with world powers negotiating with its nuclear program, United Nations nuclear watchdog said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in its monthly report that Tehran halted its operation of enriching uranium gas to a fissile concentration of 20 percent, as Iran promised to the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China in November last year in exchange for partial lifting of sanctions.

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Iran has also converted its remaining stockpile of nuclear material to oxide as closely scrutinized by the negotiating team.

The material, weighing 210 kilograms, could possibly be utilized for nuclear weapons, IAEA added.

The report, as detailed by Reuters, comes as the July 20 deadline ends on Sunday without a long-term solution on how to significantly reduce Iran's nuclear program over the world powers' worry that it might be used for weapons of mass destruction.

In exchange for its commitment, Iran is set to receive $550 million as last tranche of its $4.2 billion it received during the negotiation period.

The world powers and Iran agreed to extend its nuclear deal by an additional four months in order to address the "significant gaps" diplomats said were blocking a long-term solution.

Western countries want Iran to radically scale back its nuclear program for fear that it might be used for weapons development, but Iran claims it will remain limited to energy purposes. Iran has proposed to limit its nuclear production but not to the extent that it would endanger its security in energy sector.

World leaders now have until November 24 this year to settle the rift, although negotiations on the long-term deal could resume by September.

During the period of the extension of the talks, Iran will receive another $2.8 billion for complying with the interim deal and for undertaking other new measures.

But diplomats said the extension is not a guarantee that a long-term agreement could be reached, considering the significant gaps they are facing including the scope of Iran's nuclear program world powers wanted to minimize. 

TagsIran, Russia, Germany