Russia delivers nuclear fuel to Iran

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(Admin - feel free to move this elsewhere if more appropriate.)

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/me...iref=hpmostpop

Russia delivers nuclear fuel to Iran

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia said Monday it has begun fuel deliveries to an atomic power station in Iran that has been at the center of international concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.
Atomstroiexport, Russia's nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly, completed the first stage of deliveries Sunday, Russian nuclear officials said.
The Russian monopoly is building the $1-billion Bushehr plant under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Russian foreign ministry and nuclear officials said the fuel delivery was under full IAEA safeguards.
Construction on the Russian-designed nuclear plant has continued despite pressure from the United States.
Iran denies its nuclear program is intended for anything but peaceful purposes.
A statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry's official Web site Monday said the Iranian side has provided additional written guarantees that the fuel can only be used at and for the Bushehr plant, and that the spent fuel will be returned to Russia for utilization and storage.
"The nuclear fuel is being delivered to Iran about six months ahead of the time when it will be actually used for producing energy, as stipulated by technical requirements," the statement read.
The fuel deliveries will be made in several stages over two months, Russian nuclear officials said. The first stage was completed Sunday, officials said, when IAEA-certified fuel containers were delivered to a special storage facility, inspected by the IAEA, at the plant.
Moscow's direct support forIran's nuclear program has aggravated tensions between the United States and Russia.
The U.N. The Security Council has repeatedly demanded that Iran suspend enrichment of uranium and has imposed limited sanctions on Tehran for refusing to comply. Russia, France, and China -- all permanent Security Council members -- have voiced concerns about the proposed sanctions.
A recent U.S. intelligence summary concluded that, contrary to earlier suspicions, Iran halted its nuclear weapons development in 2003.
The report said Iran stopped work toward a nuclear weapon while under international scrutiny in 2003 and is unlikely to be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a bomb until 2010 to 2015.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed the report and declared that Iran is a "peaceful nuclear country."
Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia wants to settle the situation.
"Certainly, we are interested in having all issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program finally settled as early as possible," he said in Moscow after talks with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.
This is possible "solely on the basis of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, IAEA rules and principles, and certainly, with Iran proving its right to a peaceful use of nuclear energy," Lavrov said.
Lavrov said there had been some progress in the talks between Iran and the IAEA.
"We encourage further advancement which will allow us to finally take this issue off the international agenda," Lavrov said.
Construction of the plant was expected to be completed in September, Interfax said, but was delayed because of lack of financing and delayed equipment deliveries from other countries.
Atomstroiexport hopes to announce a new date for completing the construction in late December, Interfax said.

[Beetle]

Putin is such a good friend to the US
/sarcasm

[Toad]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009477415


Update: Iran Plans Expansion Of Nuclear Enrichment Program Despite Russia's Nuclear Fuel Deliveries

December 17, 2007 12:47 p.m. EST
Linda Young - AHN News Writer

Tehran, Iran (AHN) - Despite receiving a shipment of enriched nuclear fuel from Russia for its Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday Iran plans to continue its nuclear enrichment program, the director of Iran's Atomic Energy Program said Monday.
According to Iran-based Press TV, Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh on Monday said the nation was continuing with its plans to build a 360 Megawatt nuclear power plant in the Darkhovein area in Khuzestan province. That means it needs fuel for that, which he says the country plans to produce at its Natanz facilities.
Aqazadeh said Iran needs to enrich enough uranium to fuel the nation's nuclear power plants, which means that it will expand the number of centrifuges it already has at Natanz from 3,000 to 50,000.
And Iran's Supreme National Security Council Chief Negotiator Ali Larijani also spoke out Monday about the issue of Russia's shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran for one of its plants, calling it a positive move, but not something that would stop Iran from continuing its plans to enrich nuclear fuel for other nuclear power plants.
According to Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency, Larijani called it "irrational" to link the issue of enrichment and nuclear knowledge because he said he thinks the two things fall into different categories.
"The fuel of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of enrichment are two different categories. The issue of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant's fuel is not a new issue and plans had already been adopted for its shipment and the shipment project started as of today," Larijani was quoted as saying by IRNA.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN17412367

Bush supports Russia sending enriched uranium to Iran

Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:51pm EST

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Dec 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday he supports Russia sending enriched uranium to Iran for civilian power use because it meant that Tehran did not need to pursue their own enrichment capabilities.

"If the Russians are willing to do that, which I support, then the Iranians do not need to learn how to enrich," Bush said. "If the Iranians accept that uranium for a civilian nuclear power plant, then there's no need for them to learn how to enrich."

Russia has delivered the first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran's Bushehr atomic power station, which Moscow and Washington say should convince Tehran to shut down its disputed uranium enrichment program.

Bush said Iran was a danger so long as it pursued a nuclear program that could lead to the development of weapons. Tehran insists its program is for peaceful energy purposes only.

Despite a U.S. intelligence assessment that Tehran had halted its nuclear weapons program in late 2003, Bush said: "I think Iran's a danger to peace. My attitude hasn't changed toward Iran. If somebody had a weapons program what's to say they couldn't start it up tomorrow?"

The United States is seeking another round of U.N. sanctions against Iran. "They owe an explanation to the world," Bush said.

"That (intelligence) report says to me, when you read it carefully, Iran was a threat, Iran is a threat to peace, and Iran will be a threat to peace if we don't stop their enrichment facilities," Bush said.

(Writing by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Patricia Wilson)

[Beetle]

What is Bush doing? I hope he is saying go ahead and build the bomb before I get out off office, because then I will have a reason to come gunnin' for you.

[Toad]

I don't quite get it either. I suspect it's a reach at spin through gritted teeth.

[Toad]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318749,00.html

Iran Receives Second Nuclear Fuel Shipment From Russia


TEHRAN, Iran — Iran received the second shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Friday for a power plant being constructed in the southern Iranian town of Bushehr, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The delivery signaled continued momentum toward beginning operations at the long-delayed 1,000 megawatt light-water reactor, which the Russians are helping to construct and the Iranians say will come online in 2008.
Ahmad Fayazbakhsh, deputy head of Iran's nuclear organization, said the fuel was delivered according to a schedule agreed with the Russians, which IRNA indicated would bring 82 tons of nuclear fuel in eight shipments.
"The amount of fuel delivered to Bushehr was equal to the previous shipment," Fayazbakhsh was quoted as saying by IRNA. "It was delivered within a specified timetable."
The Russian firm helping build the Bushehr reactor, Atomstroyexport, confirmed the delivery.
Iran received the first shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Dec. 17 after months of dispute between the two countries, allegedly over delayed construction payments for the reactor.
Tehran heralded the initial shipment as a victory, saying it proved its nuclear program was peaceful, not a cover for weapons development as claimed by the U.S. and some of its allies.
The U.S. downplayed the first delivery, and both Washington and Moscow said the supply of nuclear fuel meant Iran had no need to continue its uranium enrichment program — a process that can provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb.
Iran insisted it would continue enriching uranium because it needed to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it was building in the southwestern town of Darkhovin.
Iranian officials have said they plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy in the next two decades.
The U.S. initially opposed Russian participation in building the Bushehr reactor and supplying it with fuel but reversed its position about a year ago to obtain Moscow's support for the first set of U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Washington also was influenced by Iran's agreement to return spent nuclear fuel from the reactor back to Russia to ensure it doesn't extract plutonium to make atomic bombs.
Russia's decision to begin shipping nuclear fuel to Iran followed a U.S. intelligence report released earlier this month that concluded Tehran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in late 2003 and had not resumed it since. Iran says it never had a weapons program.
The U.S. has pushed through two sets of U.N. sanctions against Iran demanding it suspend uranium enrichment and has been urging Security Council members to pass a third set.
Iran has defied U.N. demands, and Washington's effort to impose harsher measures has been complicated by the recent intelligence report and resistance from Russia and China.

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...3m2bQD8U86AKO0

Iran Receives Nuke Fuel

By NASSER KARIMI – 9 hours ago
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran received a third shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Friday for a power plant being constructed in the southern port of Bushehr, state radio reported.

The 11-ton consignment arrived at the Bushehr power plant on Friday morning, and the remainder of the fuel will arrive in five separate shipments in coming months, the radio report said.

Iran received the first two shipments of nuclear fuel from Russia on Dec. 17 and Dec. 28 after months of dispute between the two countries, allegedly over delayed construction payments for the reactor.
Iran has said Bushehr, the country's first nuclear reactor, will begin operating in the summer of 2008, producing half its 1,000-megawatt capacity of electricity.

Tehran heralded the first shipment as a victory, saying it proved its nuclear program was peaceful, not a cover for weapons development as claimed by the U.S. and some of its allies.

The U.S. initially opposed Russian participation in building the Bushehr reactor and supplying it with fuel, but reversed its position about a year ago to obtain Moscow's support for the first set of U.N. sanctions against Iran.

The United States and Russia have said the supply of nuclear fuel meant Iran had no need to continue its uranium enrichment program — a process that can provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb. Iran has agreed with Russia to return the spent fuel to ensure it doesn't extract plutonium to build a bomb.

Iran insisted it would continue enriching uranium because it needed to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it was building in the southwestern town of Darkhovin.

Iranian officials have said they plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy in the next two decades.

Russia's decision to begin shipping nuclear fuel to Iran followed a U.S. intelligence report released earlier this month that concluded Tehran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in late 2003 and had not resumed it since. Iran says it never had a weapons program.

[Jag]

Iran receives 6th shipment of Russian nuclear fuel

IRNA reports 11-ton load of enriched uranium transferred to the light-water Bushehr nuclear power plant Associated Press


TEHRAN, Iran - Iran received a sixth shipment of nuclear fuel Thursday from Russia, destined for a power plant being constructed in the southern port of Bushehr, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The report said the 11-ton load of enriched uranium arrived in Iran and was transferred to the light-water Bushehr nuclear power plant Thursday morning. The remainder of the fuel will arrive in two separate shipments in the coming weeks, it said.


"Of 82 tons of initial fuel needed for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, 66 tons have been shipped to Iran so far," the agency reported.


Iran received the fifth shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Tuesday. The first shipment arrived on Dec. 17 after months of dispute between the two countries, allegedly over delayed construction payments for the reactor.


Iran has said Bushehr, the country's first nuclear reactor, will begin operating in the summer of 2008, producing half its 1,000-megawatt capacity of electricity. Russia's decision to ship nuclear fuel to Iran follows a US Intelligence report released last month that concluded Tehran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in late 2003 and had not resumed it since. Iran says it never had a weapons program.


It also came after the UN Nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iran had been truthful about its past uranium enrichment activities. The United States and Russia have said that by supplying Iran with nuclear fuel, the Islamic state has no need to continue its own uranium enrichment program - a process that can provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb.


Iran has insisted it would continue enriching uranium to fuel a 300-megawatt light-water reactor in the country's southwest.


Iranian officials have said they plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy in the next two decades.

http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/Art...498232,00.html

Jag

[Jag]

Jan 26, 2008 19:59 | Updated Jan 26, 2008 20:03
Iran gets 7th shipment of nuclear fuel

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Iran received the 7th shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Saturday for a [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]power [COLOR=blue! important]plant[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] being constructed in the southern port of Bushehr, the official IRNA news agency reported.
[IMG]http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?blobcol=urlimage&blobheader=image%2Fjpeg&blobheadername1=Cache-Control&blobheadervalue1=max-age%3D420&blobkey=id&blobtable=JPImage&blobwhere=1159125866499&cachecontrol=5%3A0%3A0+*%2F*%2F*&ssbinary=true[/IMG] The nuclear power station in Bushehr.
Photo: AP




The 11-ton consignment of enriched uranium arrived at the light-water Bushehr nuclear power plant on Saturday morning, with the final shipment of the fuel expected at a "determined time," the agency reported.

"Of 82 tons of initial fuel needed for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, 77 tons have been shipped to Iran so far," it added.

Iran received the first shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Dec. 17 after months of dispute between the two countries, allegedly over delayed construction payments for the reactor.

Iran has said Bushehr, the country's first nuclear reactor, will begin operating in the summer of 2008, producing half its 1,000-megawatt capacity of electricity.
Teheran heralded the first shipment as a victory, saying it proved its [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]nuclear [COLOR=blue! important]program[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] was peaceful and not a cover for weapons development as claimed by the US and some of its allies.


The US initially opposed Russian participation in building the Bushehr reactor and supplying it with fuel, but reversed its position about a year ago to obtain Moscow's support for the first set of UN sanctions against Iran.

Washington was also influenced by Iran's agreement to return spent nuclear fuel from the reactor to Russia to ensure it doesn't extract plutonium from it to make atomic bombs.

Russia's decision to ship nuclear fuel to Iran follows a US intelligence report released last month that concluded Teheran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in late 2003 and had not resumed it since. Iran says it never had a weapons program.

It also came after the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Energy[/COLOR][/COLOR] Agency, said Iran had been truthful about its past uranium enrichment activities.

The United States and Russia have said the supply of nuclear fuel means Iran has no need to continue its own uranium enrichment program - a process that can provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb.

Iran has insisted it would continue enriching uranium because it needed to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it was building in the southwestern town of Darkhovin.
Iranian officials have said they plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]nuclear [COLOR=blue! important]energy[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] in the next two decades.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull

Jag

[Toad]

http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/106724.html

Iran receives final Russian nuclear delivery

Published: 01/31/2008
Iran has received its final shipment of uranium from Russia, according to Iranian state news.

The receipt of the final five tons of enriched uranium, received on Monday morning, marks an important step in the process of bringing the Bushehr nuclear reactor on line.

“With the arrival of the final shipment, all 82 tons of initial fuel needed for the power plant, together with peripheral equipment, has been shipped from Russia to Iran,” the news agency said.

The Bushehr reactor is at the center of a dispute between Iran, which claims to be developing the reactor for civilian energy use, and a coalition of Western countries that believe it to be part of a clandestine weapons program.

According to a New York Times report, Iran hopes to have the reactor operating at half capacity by this summer, but a representative from Atomstroyexport, the Russian firm handling the deal, urged caution in that assessment.

“It will be necessary to conduct complex work related to preparations for the launch,” said Atomstroyexport spokeswoman Yelena Yesipova, “with security being the top priority.”

[vector7]

Iran in January and February 2017 imported from Russia at least 150 tons of natural uranium


February 9th, 0:02



According to the French edition of «La Tribune» in the article «L'Iran importe de Russie 149 tonnes de concentré d'uranium», in the framework of international progress on the Iranian nuclear program agreements, which came into force in January 2016, Russian exports to Iran natural uranium. This agreement, we recall, is considered very negatively in advance of the new US president Donald Trump. In addition, Iran has reiterated its desire to develop its own nuclear industry despite US threats. The Iranians continue to search for uranium raw material sources and create a new generation of centrifuges, up to 20 times more productive than their predecessors.

Cascade Iranian IR-1 centrifuges at Iran's uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, 2005 (a) isis-online.org

On Monday, representatives of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency (IAAE) said that the February 7, 2017, Iran has received from Russia last batch of uranium concentrate weighing 149 tonnes under the agreements reached great powers.

"The first batch of uranium oxide, arrived in Iran on January 26 aircraft, the second - on Tuesday." These volumes will join the reserves of Iran in natural uranium. This was news agency Fars said IAAE Director Ali Akbar Salehi.

He added that since the entry into force of the agreements on the Iranian nuclear issue in January 2016, Iran imported 210 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate, and in return sent overseas with low-enriched uranium enriched to 3.5%. According to the press-secretary IAAE Behrouz Kamalvandi, low-enriched uranium was sent to Russia.

In July 2015, Iran signed an agreement with a group of "5 + 1" (the United States, France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany), which put an end to many years of crisis. Under this deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program, including the supply of low-enriched uranium mass of 300 kg in the 10-year period, in exchange for the lifting of the international sanctions.

The new US president Donald Trump speaks very negatively about this agreement. According to its vice-president Mike Pence, the new administration is assessing its feasibility to its follow-up decision.

Iranian officials have made several statements in which demonstrated their determination to continue to develop nuclear power industry despite US threats. In January Kamalvindi said that "Iran will require uranium reserve for the translation of its nuclear program to the industrial stage." He added that Iran is conducting exploration in the country to find new uranium deposits, but it is ready to import uranium from abroad.

In addition, Iran is at the end of January 2017 announced the testing of a new type of centrifuge IR-8, which is 20 times more productive than the existing model (IR-1). As part of the nuclear deal, Iran agreed to limit the number of centrifuges IR-1 to about 6000 units, but he was allowed to carry on the development model IR-8, meaning that it will be ready within ten years, after which Iran will be able to increase its enrichment capacity.