Speaking to reporters Monday night after a joint press conference of Iranian and Russian presidents here in Tehran, Salehi said Iran will export 9 tons of its 4 percent enriched uranium to Russia.
It will be sold “within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA – the recent nuclear accord finalized by Iran and world powers),” the Iranian nuclear chief explained.
By selling the enriched uranium, Iran would practically join the world’s club of uranium enrichment service providers, he said, adding that there are a small number of countries capable of providing such services.
He went on to say that Iran will use the money it earns from selling the enriched uranium to import 140 tons of natural uranium.
“The agreement has been signed, and we will take the required steps in this regard,” Salehi noted, adding that there will be good news in coming days on the exchange of fuel with Russia.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France, and Germany) finalized the text of the lasting agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program in Vienna on July 14.
According to the JCPOA, “All enriched uranium hexafluoride in excess of 300 kg of up to 3.67% enriched UF6 (or the equivalent in different chemical forms) will be down blended to natural uranium level or be sold on the international market and delivered to the international buyer in return for natural uranium delivered to Iran.
Iran will enter into a commercial contract with an entity outside Iran for the purchase and transfer of its enriched uranium stockpile in excess of 300 kg UF6 in return for natural uranium delivered to Iran. The E3/EU+3 will facilitate, where applicable, the conclusion and implementation of this contract. Iran may choose to seek to sell excess enriched uranium to the IAEA fuel bank in Kazakhstan when the fuel bank becomes operational.”