Iran makes key concessions during meeting with U.S., world leaders

Iranian leaders have tentatively agreed to permit nuclear inspectors to visit its refinement facilities, President Barack Obama announced on Thursday.

Iran has also accepted "in principle" an agreement that would have the state import nuclear energy from some unspecified third-party -- an important development at a time when Iran's nuclear ambitions have been subject to intense international scrutiny.

"Iran must demonstrate through concrete steps that it will live up to its responsibilities with regard to its nuclear program," Obama said after Thursday's meeting between Iran and the P5+1, a coalition of British, Chinese, French, German, Russian and U.S. negotiators.

"In pursuit of that goal, today's meeting was a constructive beginning, but it must be followed with constructive action by the Iranian government," the president added.

Iran invoked the ire of the international community last Saturday after evidence emerged that the state was operating a secret uranium refinement facility in the city of Qom. At the time, Obama and a host of world leaders criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for deceiving international inspectors, and U.S. lawmakers ramped up their calls for a new round of sanctions on Tehran.

Those criticisms grew even more vocal on Monday, following Iran's decision to conduct a long-range missile test. The White House quickly excoriated Iran's behavior as "provocative," and lawmakers began to question whether the United States ought to cancel its Oct. 1 meeting with Iranian diplomats.

But Thursday's news could prove to be an important diplomatic breakthrough in the Iranian nuclear standoff, provided the state's leaders adhere to the P5+1's new conditions. Under the tentative agreement, Iran would permit the International Atomic Energy Association to inspect the uranium site in Qom at some point over the next two weeks, Obama explained. Those inspectors, the president added, must be afforded "unfettered access" to Iran's clandestine nuclear facility.

Additionally, Obama announced the beginnings of a deal between Iran and the world community on nuclear power. A host of other states have proposed ad nauseum that Iran ought to import its nuclear energy from some impartial, trusted third-party. But on Thursday, Iran actually signaled its interest in the idea, which Obama did not describe in considerable depth.

However, the president did couple his praise for the early negotiations with a promise that the United States would consider more "increased pressure" if Iran shirked its "international obligations" again. He also sought to assuage lawmakers who have rebuked Iran recently with increasing intensity, explaining his administration's patience was "not unlimited."

"[It's] a confidence-building step," Obama said of Thursday's efforts, adding "the U.S. will not continue to negotiate indefinitely."