Zarif: Iran to Begin Commercial Uranium Enrichment


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the conclusion of nuclear negotiations with major world powers has opened up an opportunity for Iran to enrich uranium for commercial purposes.

“According to the plans, Iran is scheduled to move toward more advanced nuclear industry and commercial (uranium) enrichment,” Zarif told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday upon his return from tight diplomatic negotiations in Austria over the country’s nuclear program.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 concluded more than two weeks of intensive talks in Vienna.

The negotiations resulted in a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, after 22 months of talks.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif highlighted the international significance of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers, saying the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will “for the first time” in the history formally recognize uranium enrichment program in a developing country.

The UNSC will adopt a resolution next week on Iran’s entitlement to uranium enrichment, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said.

Zarif also said the nuclear negotiations proved that the Iranian nation withstands sanctions, but shows “heroic flexibility” when it comes to dialogue and respect.