Putin Lifts Ban on Enrichment Cooperation with Iran

According to a report by AFP, Vladimir Putin on Monday, December 2, lifted the existing ban on cooperation of Russian companies in uranium enrichment plants in Iran, just before his visit to Tehran. According to this report, under a decree signed by Mr. Putin on Monday, Russian companies can now work at the Fordow enrichment site and assist Tehran in redesigning the Arak nuclear reactor. Russian companies can also engage in activities related to the export of enriched uranium from Iran, up to over 300 kilograms, in exchange for which Iran will receive amounts of unenriched uranium. Russia was a member of the so-called 1+5 group that negotiated with the officials of Hassan Rouhani's government, ultimately leading to the nuclear agreement aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. AFP states that Moscow is seeking to increase trade relations with Iran, while its domestic companies are waiting for the end of Iran's sanctions. The Wall Street Journal also reported on December 1 that Russian companies are preparing for exports worth $21 billion to Iran and are waiting for the moment sanctions are lifted. It seems that the sale of at least 100 passenger planes from Sukhoi to Iran has also been finalized, as Ilya Tarasenko, head of the civilian sector of the company, stated, 'We are ready to export planes to Iran after the sanctions are lifted.' Reports indicate that a large Russian trade delegation is also expected to visit Tehran next month. According to the Wall Street Journal, Denis Manturov, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, is heading a delegation that includes members from companies such as Gazprom, helicopter manufacturing, and aircraft manufacturing in Russia. The International Monetary Fund stated last month that with the implementation of the nuclear agreement, Iran's economic growth would turn positive. The Wall Street Journal notes that estimates suggest Iran could have a share in global economic growth comparable to that of Italy over the next decade.