During a day of historic talks between Iran and the US and world powers, Iran agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to view its newly disclosed uranium enrichment site near Qom within the next two months. Iran also agreed, in principle, to begin sending most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia for further enriching. Under the agreement, the uranium would then be sent to France to be processed into fuel and then return back to Iran, where it would be used for a medical research reactor in Tehran. US officials in Geneva said Tehran’s willingness to ship low-enriched uranium to Russia and France could be an important step. One US official told the Wall Street Journal, “This limits Iran’s ability to have the breakout ability needed to produce nuclear weapons.” Another round of talks will take place in October. President Obama, who did not attend the negotiations, called on Iran to live up to its agreements.

President Obama: “This is a constructive beginning, but hard work lies ahead. We’ve entered a phase of intensive international negotiations. And talk is no substitute for action. Pledges of cooperation must be fulfilled. We have made it clear that we will do our part to engage the Iranian government on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect, but our patience is not unlimited.”

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Iran would participate in another round of talks.

Saeed Jalili: “Today we had good discussions and talks. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed views and points with regards to the international and global cooperation and global concerns. That was discussed today, and we reached an agreement so that these talks and negotiations will be continued in a positive view. Especially in the next months, we hope to reach a framework in order to continue the discussions in the best form.”

While many analysts praised Thursday’s talks with Iran, US lawmakers in the House of Representatives responded by passing legislation to impose new economic sanctions on Iran. The House bill bars any oil company that delivers crude oil to the US emergency petroleum stockpile from also selling gasoline to Iran.