AP: The United States is taking a time out from browbeating Iran about its nuclear weapons, giving way – for now, at least – while the Europeans try to sweet-talk Iran’s uranium enrichment to a halt. America’s rhetorical muscling of Iran, and the Iranians’ pugnacious reactions, got the world’s attention. But the Europeans’ offer of nuclear fuel, trade benefits and security guarantees drew a promise from Iran to suspend enrichment of uranium.

Los Angeles Times: Despite a pledge by Tehran on Monday to suspend all uranium enrichment activities, the United States warned that it reserved the right to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, insisting that the Islamic Republic was trying to build nuclear weapons. A resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s governing board sealed a mid-November deal brokered by Britain, France and Germany for Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment-related activities and avoid referral to the Security Council, where it could face sanctions.

New York Times: In a defeat for the Bush administration, the 35-country ruling board of the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a mildly worded resolution on Monday welcoming Iran’s total freeze on a sensitive part of its nuclear program. The resolution, passed by consensus without a vote, removes the possibility that the group will drag Iran before the United Nations Security Council for possible censure or even sanctions.

Press Association: Iran will be closely monitored to ensure it sticks to an agreement to halt its uranium enrichment programme, Prime Minister Tony Blair said today. He said he hoped the deal would add to “progress” already made in reducing the threat of weapons of mass destruction around the world. Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Blair said of the Iranian agreement: “France, Germany and Britain have been working very closely on this.

AFP: A major international crisis over Iran’s nuclear ambitions may have been averted for the time being, but the fundamental problem remains — the Islamic regime still wants its very own nuclear fuel cycle. In a deal set to keep its nuclear ambitions away from the United Nations Security Council for the time being, the Islamic republic has yet again agreed to suspend, but not abandon, its uranium enrichment-related work.

AFP: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday his country would press on with its nuclear programme and was not afraid of pressure from the United States. “The people and the officials are not scared of the political threats made by the powers in the service of oppression,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by state television during a meeting …

Reuters: Iran looked set to avoid being reported to the United Nations Security Council on Monday after reaffirming its commitment to a deal meant to reassure the world it is not trying to build a nuclear bomb. But there were signs of mounting exasperation from Western diplomats after five days of chaotic to-and-fro in which Iran first raised fresh demands and then retreated from them.