Intensive Negotiations Between Iran and Rosatom for Transfer of Enriched Uranium to Russia

Reports indicate that the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization and the Russian company Rosatom are negotiating to finalize the contract for the transfer of enriched uranium from Iran to Russia as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister has stated that 'the issue of fuel transfer' is not on the table, but 'the issue of its exchange is'. According to a report on Friday, September 27, by Sputnik news agency from Moscow, Mikhail Ulyanov, head of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said: 'Intensive negotiations between the state company Rosatom and the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization for the transfer of enriched uranium are ongoing'. Ulyanov added: 'All possible measures have been taken to sign this contract as soon as possible'. However, he emphasized that 'there is a mutual understanding that the exchange of Iran's less enriched uranium for Russian uranium ore will be technically and organizationally very challenging. We and Iran also share a common view on the necessary steps to realize this plan. Relevant work is currently underway'. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated in this regard: 'Based on the JCPOA, Iran has for the first time since the revolution been allowed to legally import natural uranium in exchange for enriched fuel, which will allow the Islamic Republic to break the deadlock on the import of yellowcake and natural uranium'. According to the House of the Nation news agency, affiliated with the parliament, Zarif also emphasized regarding the topics raised about the transfer of fuel to Russia or the Kazakh fuel bank that 'there is absolutely no discussion of fuel transfer; the issue of its exchange is on the table, so wherever Iran's fuel is sent, we will receive enriched uranium in return'. Ulyanov also told RIA Novosti that Mohammad Javad Zarif and the foreign ministers of the 1+5 group are likely to meet and discuss on September 28 in New York during the UN General Assembly. The head of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry also mentioned that this schedule may change. Experts from Iran and the 1+5 group are set to meet on September 22 in Vienna. Iran and the six world powers reached a comprehensive agreement to resolve the Islamic Republic's nuclear dispute on July 14 in Vienna. According to this agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran's nuclear program is limited, and in return, most international sanctions against Tehran will be lifted. Republican opponents of the Iran nuclear deal in the U.S. Senate were unable to reject this agreement within the specified deadline, and on Thursday, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, appointed the main coordinator for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In this context, the work of the special JCPOA commission in the parliament continues despite Obama's victory over Congress. Nuclear security experts: details of inspections at the Parchin site should be published. The deadline for Senate review has ended, and the Republicans failed to reject the Iran deal.