Iran wants Russian enriched uranium
Published: 23 October, 2009, 17:00
Edited: 25 October, 2009, 17:06
TAGS: Nuclear, Russia, Middle East
World powers are expecting Iran to give its answer on transferring its uranium to Russia for enrichment. It's hoped the agreement, formed in Vienna, will reduce concerns over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The deal already has the full approval of the main parties involved – US, France and Russia.
"Russian experts attended the meeting where the proposals were developed on behalf of the IAEA, formulated by the IAEA director-general. We have agreed to these proposals and we hope that, not only Iran, but also all the other parties to the talks, will confirm their preparedness to implement the proposed scheme," Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, said, Interfax news agency reports.
But Iran's endorsement has been far from certain so far, as the country’s deputy parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, dismissed the plan on Thursday.
Earlier, Iran has expressed a desire to work directly with Russia on supplying enriched uranium for its nuclear reactor.
Tehran says France and the US will not be able to participate in the project directly, Interfax reports, quoting Ali Asghar Soltanieh, a representative of the Iranian delegation.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohammed ElBaradei presented the project on Wednesday at a meeting with delegations from Russia, the US, France and Iran.
The document suggests that three quarters, or 1,200 kilograms, of Iran’s lightly-enriched uranium will be taken out of the country by the end of the year for further enrichment. According to the proposed scheme, the low-grade uranium produced at the Iranian plant in Natanz is to be sent to Russia.
Secret nuclear plant near Qum (Click to enlarge)
This is the figure given by international experts, who believe that much time is needed for Iran to replenish its stockpiles to the current levels.
This deal will allow Tehran to continue with its uranium enrichment program, which the UN Security Council insisted be stopped.
This Sunday, inspectors from IAEA will be visiting Iran’s secret nuclear facility near Qum, which is the site for another reactor recently declared by Tehran.
There hasn’t been any official reaction from Russia either on the draft agreement to deliver enriched uranium to Iran.
"The consultations are still underway. Let's wait for their outcome and announce the results after that," Andrey Nesterenko, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying France's participation is a vital part of the enrichment process. Paris is ready to accept the term proposed by the IAEA and is also planning to start talks with Russia on the issue.
23.10.2009, 15:37
2 comments
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23.10.2009, 17:25
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Iran dumps uranium deal, comes up with counter-proposal – reportIran has not signed a UN-proposed deal on uranium enrichment at a meeting in Vienna. It was reported that Tehran has proposed a counter-plan, but Iran’s nuclear envoy says Iran is still studying the UN-drafted plan. |
If the concept is accepted but mistrust 'rightfully' remains on the prt of the Iranians, the process should be done in reverse! The Russians & Co should prepare the required rods of 20% refinement and hand them to the UN agency. Iran should be given the chance to test them. If every thing is as promised Iran should be given the consignment of the enriched uranium while Iran will hand to the UN agency the equivalent of low enriched uranium as agreed. Israel and the US should pay for all the expenses incurred. If this operation is successful there should be a precondition at next weeks talks that Israels arsenal is next in line.
I would assume the bulk of the fuel will stay in Russia, being stage released for fuel assembly in France. Russia certainly won't break any deal, and if France does, then Iran will have shown that it will have to enrich fully itself. So I reckon France will also stick to the deal religiously. The key to the puzzle is Russia is the trusted actor. If France breaks the deal, then Russia will back Iran. So the deal looks good to go to completion. So once that is sorted it's time to tackle Israel in order to get inspectors in and disarm it of nuclear weapons. It's what everyone voted for and supported in the UN, a movement towards a nuclear weapons free world. The Middle East seems a great place to start, unless you're a hypocrite of course! Western hypocrisy - fine words and evil deeds, coming to an oilfield near you soon.
i think the deal is a good deal for russia,france to completed the iran nuclear. one more thing you can not trust only russia to completed the iran nuclear because they are partners. i believe the obama free world nuclear its the world best interest.