Iran Mulling Nuclear Fuel Exchange with Russia: AEOI Chief
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran has been holding tight negotiations with Russia over the past eight months on the exchange of nuclear fuel, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said.
Speaking to Iran’s state TV on Tuesday, Salehi said one of the strong points of a final nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) is the chance for the country to exchange nuclear fuel.
“To that end, we have been holding very tight negotiations with Russian officials since around eight months ago on nuclear fuel exchange,” he added.
He also noted that the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has given Iran the opportunity to export uranium enrichment services.
Salehi also hailed as a “great achievement” the opportunity for Iran to import natural uranium in exchange for exporting its enriched uranium.
Back on July 15 and after conclusion of the marathon nuclear talks in Vienna, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that the deal would open up an opportunity for Iran to enrich uranium for commercial purposes.
“According to the plans, Iran is scheduled to move toward more advanced nuclear industry and commercial (uranium) enrichment,” Zarif said at the time.