Russia says joint enrichment possible with Iran

A top Russian diplomat today said it would be possible to create a joint venture to enrich uranium for Iran in Russia only if Tehran resumed its moratorium on enrichment activities, the Interfax news agency reported.

“Our proposal on creating a joint enterprise remains in force,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak was quoted as saying. “Its fulfilment is possible if Iran returns to the moratorium as is set out in the resolution adopted by the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

The IAEA’s 35-nation board of governors voted on Saturday to report Iran to the UN Security Council, which has the power to impose economic and political sanctions. Tehran responded by saying it would start uranium enrichment and bar surprise inspections of its facilities.

But Iran said it was willing to discuss Moscow’s proposal to shift large-scale enrichment operations to Russian territory in an effort to allay suspicions it is pursuing a weapons programme.

Talks on the project were scheduled for February 16 in Moscow.

Uranium enriched to a low degree can be used for nuclear reactors, while highly enriched uranium is suitable for warheads. Iran insists it only wants to generate electricity, but the US and some of its allies contend Tehran is trying to build a weapon.

The IAEA resolution requests the agency’s director general, Mohamed ElBaradei, to relay to the Security Council the steps Iran must take to dispel suspicions about its nuclear ambitions.

These include that it return to freezing uranium enrichment; consider stopping construction of a heavy-water reactor that could be the source of plutonium; formally ratify the agreement allowing the IAEA greater inspecting authority; and give the agency more power in its investigation of Iran’s nuclear programme.