US Welcomes Transfer of Iran's Enriched Uranium to Russia Under JCPOA

John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, welcomed the transfer of a significant portion of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile to Russia, describing this action as one of the most important steps towards Tehran's commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to AFP, the transfer of a substantial amount of Iran's low-enriched uranium to Russia on Monday, December 28, is a key step by Iran to implement the agreement with the P5+1 countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium reserves to Russia on Monday. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, also confirmed the transfer of enriched uranium to Russia in an interview with ISNA. In response to a question from an ISNA reporter regarding the Russian Foreign Ministry's statements, Salehi said: 'The fuel exchange process has taken place.' ISNA added: 'According to the JCPOA, Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which is about eight tons, has been transferred to Russia except for 300 kilograms.' This news agency cited Iranian and Russian sources stating that the amount of uranium transferred to Russia was more than 8.5 tons, and Iran received about 140 tons of natural uranium in exchange. Meanwhile, John Kerry stated in a statement regarding the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium reserves: 'With the movement of a ship carrying 25,000 pounds (11,340 kilograms) of enriched uranium from Iran to Russia, Iran has taken one of the most important steps to fulfill its commitments. This shipment included all of Iran's enriched uranium reserves up to 20 percent, except for the portion that has been converted into fuel plates for the Tehran reactor.' The US Secretary of State added: 'The transfer of Iran's enriched uranium reserves abroad is a fundamental step towards ensuring that Iran does not possess more than 300 kilograms of enriched uranium by the time the agreement is implemented.' Under the nuclear agreement with six world powers in Vienna, Tehran agreed to reduce its enriched uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms. According to AFP, with this amount of uranium transferred outside Iran, the country currently does not have enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear bomb. Therefore, the time required to produce the materials needed to create a nuclear bomb, known as the 'breakout time,' becomes longer for Iran. The US Secretary of State also emphasized in his statement that with the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium to Russia, Iran's 'breakout time' will increase from two to three months to six to nine months. John Kerry stressed that the US will lift nuclear sanctions against Iran on 'Implementation Day.' 'Implementation Day' is the day when the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Iran has fulfilled its commitments regarding its uranium stockpiles, the Arak heavy water reactor, the heavy water production facility, the Fordow facility, and several other preliminary actions, and in return, the US and the European Union will implement all their orders and regulations regarding the lifting or suspension of sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency has yet to respond to the US Secretary of State's statement regarding the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium reserves to Russia.