Tehran has rejected reports of a deal with world powers to ship its low enriched uranium (LEU) abroad for further processing, says an official.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the assumption that such an agreement had been reached with the P5+1 group consisting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia, China, USA, France and the UK- plus Germany during the Geneva talks was untrue.

The Council's Media Secretary Peyman Jebelli made the announcement in an exclusive interview with Press TV today.

Jebelli's comments came after a number of media outlets reported that Iran had agreed to ship LEU of under 5 percent to Russia where it would be additionally enriched to about 20 percent, before being further processed in France and finally being returned to Iran.

According to the reports, France would place the uranium in sealed fuel assemblies that Iran would later use to operate a small existing reactor in Tehran which produces medical isotopes, under the supervision of IAEA.

Iranian officials say, however, that the offer to "purchase" 20 percent enriched uranium is what would be discussed during a meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) scheduled for October 18, stressing that the session would have nothing to do with the Geneva talks.

Iran says that it will take the best offer from any of the legitimate bidders, which include Russia, France and the United States.

On October 1, diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 group took part in the first session of a new round of wide-ranging talks to resolve outstanding issues between the sides. It has since been announced that the talks are to through October.

MJ/ZAP/DT