US can give Iran space to accept atom deal-official

* US recognizes Iran has 'tough' decision to make

* Nuclear fuel deal stalled over delivery issues

* Third country option for taking Iranian fuel mooted

By Mark Heinrich

VIENNA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The United States is willing to give Iran time to decide whether to accept a U.N. draft deal that is meant to defuse nuclear tensions with world powers but has drawn Iranian objections, a U.S. diplomat said on Monday.

The proposal for Iran to part with stocks of potential nuclear explosive material in exchange for fuel to keep a nuclear medicine facility running has stumbled on Iranian calls for amendments, but Iran has not rejected it outright.

Addressing Iran's misgivings over sending low-enriched uranium (LEU) abroad before it receives reactor fuel in return, the U.N. nuclear agency chief has suggested Iran place the LEU in a friendly third country pending arrival of the fuel.

A senior Iranian official rejected the idea at the weekend.