Vienna, Austria ? Bowing to international pressure, Iran said Tuesday that it would suspend uranium enrichment and sign an agreement permitting international inspectors to make wide-ranging checks of its nuclear program.

A senior Iranian official announced the decision in Tehran after four hours of meetings with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany. He said Iran would sign an additional protocol to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty permitting broad inspections and suspend its controversial program to enrich uranium.

Iran faces an Oct. 31 deadline set by the International Atomic Energy Agency to sign the agreement, suspend the uranium-enrichment program and provide detailed information about its nuclear program. The deadline was imposed amid concerns by the United States and other countries that Iran was trying to develop an atomic bomb.

The agency demanded that Iran meet the deadline or face the prospect of the matter being referred to the United Nations Security Council, which could impose sanctions.

Hassan Rowhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told reporters in Tehran that the government had decided to sign the protocol so that it could continue its civilian nuclear activities, which it said were for generating electricity. In exchange, Iran would be allowed to buy new nuclear technology kept out of its reach by 20 years of sanctions.

“Another agreement is that Iran would voluntarily suspend its uranium-enrichment program for a while to show its good will and build confidence with the European and other countries,” Rowhani said. “This is a voluntary decision, and we are doing it to create a new atmosphere of trust and to develop relations with Europe and industrialized countries.”

Although Iran’s pledges were greeted with general optimism, uncertainties remained. There was no indication when Iran would suspend its uranium enrichment, and Rowhani did not say how long the suspension would last.

Rowhani also did not say when Iran would sign the protocol or give the IAEA information about its nuclear activities.