Iran to Transfer 9 Tons of Enriched Uranium to Russia in Coming Days

On Saturday, December 19, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated that approximately 9 tons of enriched uranium will be 'exported' to Russia in the coming days. He also reported on the continued dismantling of centrifuges in Iran. According to the state news agency IRNA, Ali Akbar Salehi, speaking on the sidelines of an event in Tehran, added that 'the exchange of fuel has progressed well. We have imported 137 tons of yellowcake from Russia, and in the coming days, about 9 tons of Iran's enriched uranium will be exported to that country.' Previously, on Tuesday, December 3, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization had stated that an agreement to sell 9 tons of uranium with a concentration of four percent to Russia had been signed, and with this sale, Iran would effectively enter the club of uranium enrichment service sellers worldwide. Salehi further noted, 'We are selling about 9 tons of enriched uranium to the Russians, converting the enrichment money and receiving its raw material, and in return, we will import 140 tons of natural uranium, which is a very high figure.' Additionally, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister had stated on Tuesday, December 24, that the transfer of nearly 9 tons of Iran's four percent uranium to that country would be completed as planned by the end of this calendar year. According to the TASS news agency, Sergey Ryabkov also assessed the implementation of the JCPOA, Iran's nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group, as 'generally positive.' Based on the agreement on July 14 between Iran and the P5+1 group, Tehran must reduce its enriched uranium stockpile to about 300 kilograms. Iran must also deactivate and store most of its centrifuge devices and remove the heavy water reservoir from the Arak reactor. Tehran had previously officially announced that fulfilling its commitments was contingent on a positive report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the closure of its past nuclear case known as 'PMD,' which the agency said was suspicious of military research. The IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution last Tuesday, December 24, which closed the accusatory case regarding Iran's attempts to build a nuclear weapon. Aladdin Boroujerdi, the head of the National Security Commission of the Parliament, also stated that 'it seems that January will be the month of lifting sanctions and the beginning of new conditions in the country and the region.'