Iran says it may modify Arak reactor to allay nuclear concerns

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is prepared to modify its planned Arak heavy water reactor to help allay Western concerns, its atomic energy chief said in published remarks that may signal a readiness by Tehran to compromise on the thorny issue.

Western powers, preparing for negotiations with Iran on a long-term deal defining the scope of its disputed nuclear programme, fear Arak could provide a supply of plutonium - one of two materials, along with highly enriched uranium, that can be used for the core of a nuclear weapon - once operational.