New York Times: Iran is preparing for two meetings with international negotiators regarding its nuclear energy program. In the face of North Korea’s apparent nuclear weapons test, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast indicated that Iran was in the process of converting some of its weapons-grade uranium into reactor fuel. Iran has been the target of sanctions due to international suspicions that the nation is trying to develop nuclear weapons of its own, and it has rejected requests from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear facilities. If it is true that Iran has converted uranium into reactor fuel, that uranium can no longer be easily used in nuclear weapons. Some analysts are saying that it may just be a ploy on Iran’s part to keep its weapons-grade stockpiles below a level that might trigger a response by Israel. However, it does not appear that Iran will allow inspectors from the IAEA to visit the Parchin military site, which international inspectors believe is developing nuclear technology.