INTL Iran says ready for uranium-fuel swap

Iran says ready for uranium-fuel swap

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRqjZV1Meppj40hTs8IBOv4DdsQwD9CHNL280

(AP) – 2 hours ago

MANAMA, Bahrain — Iran's foreign minister says the country is ready to swap up to 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms of its enriched uranium for nuclear fuel rods, as proposed by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Manochehr Mottaki told reporters in Bahrain Saturday that Iran suggested exchanging 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of its enriched uranium on Kish island in the initial phase.

The International Atomic Energy Agency proposed in October Iran ship out its 3.5 percent enriched uranium to be further refined by France and Russia into fuel rods for a research reactor.

The U.S. and its allies fear Iran's nuclear program is aimed at making a bomb, while Tehran maintains it's for peaceful purposes.

Mottaki said Iran agreed with the deal in principle, there were only differences over the mechanisms of the swap.
 
Top