IAEA Confirms Receiving Iran Letter On Proposed Nuclear Fuel Swap
Source: RFE/RL
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has been formally notified by Iran of a proposed deal to swap of some of Iran's enriched uranium for nuclear reactor fuel. The swap deal was brokered by Brazil and Turkey. It calls for Iran to send more than half of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for nuclear fuel rods.
from left: Brazil's FM & President, Iranian FM & President, Turkish PM & FM
celebrate the agreement
10-point nuclear deal
between Iran, Turkey and Brazil
But the proposal falls short of a compromise deal
suggested last year in which Iran also would be obliged to stop its
uranium-enrichment activities.
The IAEA said it would pass Iran's letter on to the United States, France, and
Russia "for their consideration."
Washington has treated the deal with skepticism and gone ahead with introducing
a draft sanctions resolution to the UN Security Council.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy to the IAEA, said today that Iran's decision
to continue enriching uranium to higher levels "is not the issue."
He said Iran would abandon the swap deal if the UN Security Council approves
fresh sanctions.
compiled from agency reports
Copyright (c) 2010 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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