The Iranian government has fulfilled its commitment to an international agreement signed last year by eliminating the most highly-enriched uranium in its stockpile, according to reporting from the international agency overseeing the process.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has stood by its promise to dilute the nuclear fuel that is closest to being useful in a possible nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently stood by the assertion that its nuclear research and development is only intended for civilian uses, such as energy production and medical purposes.

As Agence France-Presse reports:

Even as talks to reach a nuclear deal with Iran were extended beyond an initial July 20 deadline, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Tehran was standing by its international commitments.

As agreed under a so-called Joint Plan of Action reached in November, the Islamic Republic has cut half of its stock of 20-percent enriched uranium down to five-percent purity.

The rest was being converted into uranium oxide.

Tehran also refrained from enriching above the five-percent level at any of its nuclear facilities, the IAEA report said.

Iran and world powers have been trying to reach a crucial nuclear deal to alleviate international fears that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon.

Early Saturday, they agreed to give themselves four more months after marathon talks in Vienna.