If Iran's nuclear program had anything to do with economics then they would have accepted the offers of either the Canadians or Germans of many years ago. Either offer would have given them the latest in nuclear reactor technology, producing very little nuclear waste. Even better, either deal included nuclear fuel almost for free. The snag was that both deals would have seen nuclear waste returned to either Canada or Germany for disposal. The Russian supplied reactor that the Iranians have chosen produces more nuclear waste then the Canadian and German types offered and that waste will remain in Iran. It is that waste that will be refined into weapons grade materials. If the Iranian government cared at all about the economics of their energy policies, they would build some oil refineries so they would no longer need to import petrol and diesel at considerable expense.

JG Or because Canada and Germany do not have independent foreign policies which take the interests of their companies and citizens first before bowing down to U.S directives. I do not think that Russia needs to wait around. I think Russia needs to consolidate its business deals with Iran. I think Russia needs to beat China in securing new lucrative economic projects with Iran. Russia shows that it can make pragmatic business decisions which neither Germany nor Canada can make. Truth can hurt- but this is the real truth. You do seem to imply that Russia’s nuclear technology is more "dirty" than those of Germany and Canada. We we do know Russia is good in this area as in space technology as well. Russia is also reliable and politically independent country and this matters in making key economic deals.

JG, I'm afraid you are completly wrong on every count. The deal with Russia requires Iran to return the complete fuel rod assemblies to Russia when they have expired, and it is the rod assemblies that contain the so-called nuclear waste, ie unwanted high activity isotopes created within the fuel pellets. You are also wrong when you claim that Western reactors are somehow cleaner than the Russian VVS. This again is nonsense. In any event, even were it true, that is Russia's problem as the the spent fuel rods are their responsibility. I suggest that you indulge in a little research before you make such sweeping general statements.

Also, JG, the nuclear waste will not remain in Iran. Russia has taken full responsibility in supplying the fuel to Bushehr and taking back the nuclear waste to Russia. So the Russian deal is the same as the German or Canadian deal, just a different supplier. Also, Russia is a better supplier for Iran, as they live next door