Iran will export most of its enriched uranium stockpile to Russia in the coming days as it rushes to implement a nuclear deal and secure relief from international sanctions, Tehran's nuclear chief was quoted as saying yesterday.

Under the terms of the deal it reached in July with world powers, Iran must reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium to around 660 lb, mothball most of its centrifuges, and remove the core of a heavy water reactor at Arak so it cannot be used to produce plutonium. Tehran said it was working to complete the requirements in the next two to three weeks.