Tehran seeks ‘concrete assurances’ for nuclear fuel swap

May 10, 2010 - 0:0

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said Iran should be provided with tangible assurances as a condition for nuclear fuel swap.

Iran has repeatedly said it is ready to swap its low-enriched uranium for high-grade uranium on its territory to supply the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer patients.
“Some countries have been seeking to impose a series of conditions on Iran, but our condition is receiving concrete assurances,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
The nuclear chief said several countries have made proposals for nuclear fuel swap and Iran is examining them, adding Iran will negotiate with these countries in the upcoming meetings to reach an agreement on the details of the deal.
According to reports, Brazil and Turkey have drawn up a joint proposal for a nuclear fuel swap.
Iran says Brazil-Turkey fuel swap proposal is feasible.
Earlier, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad agreed in principle to the Brazil’s proposal.
“Our stance toward the nuclear fuel swap has not changed. We will give 3.5% enriched uranium and receive 20%-enriched fuel (instead),” Salehi asserted.
“Our purpose (of continuing negotiations with the West) is to give the Western countries an opportunity to save face and find a way out of the current situation,” he added.