In　this　paper,　we　use　the　fractional　variational　homotopy　perturbation　iteration　method　(FVHPIM)　with　modified　Riemann-Liouville　derivative　to　solve　a　time-fractional　diffusion　equation.　Using　this　method,　a　rapid　convergent　sequence　tending　to　the　exact　solution　of　the　equation　can　be　obtained.　To　show　the　efficiency　of　the　considered　method,　some　numerical　examples　are　presented.　(C)　2012　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.