An informed diplomat familiar with Iran–U.S. talks said Iran has clarified that nuclear material will not be transferred from the country under any potential agreement, describing the issue as one of Iran’s key positions.
Tehran – IranView24
In comments to ISNA, the diplomat addressed discussions regarding the possible export or dilution of Iran’s nuclear material in the event of a deal with Washington. “We emphasized in the negotiations that nuclear material will not leave the country,” the source said, stressing that the retention of nuclear material inside Iran, at any level of enrichment, is a central issue for Tehran.
The remarks followed statements last week by Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, who said the company is technically prepared to transfer highly enriched uranium from Iran, with the criteria for such a process to be determined by Tehran.
Likhachev said Moscow is aware that negotiations are underway in various formats and that different scenarios concerning the fate of highly enriched uranium are being discussed. He added that Russia had experience assisting Iran in a similar situation about 10 years ago and is ready to do so again if required.
Responding to proposals regarding the export of highly enriched material, particularly uranium enriched up to 60 percent, the Iranian diplomat reiterated that “the retention of nuclear material inside the country, at any level of enrichment, is among Iran’s key considerations.” He added, “In negotiations with the United States, we stressed that nuclear material will not be removed from the country.”
The diplomat noted that Russia has consistently expressed readiness to facilitate the transfer of Iranian nuclear material, but added that Russian officials are aware of Iran’s position that such material will remain inside the country.
He said that in the event of an agreement with the United States, the material would “certainly be diluted.”
Regarding proposals to establish a regional enrichment consortium with Iran’s participation, the diplomat said, “For now, the consortium issue is not on the agenda.”
Addressing enrichment activities inside Iran in light of damage reportedly sustained by some facilities during what was described as the 12-day war, the diplomat stressed that Iran shows “no flexibility” regarding zero enrichment and said, “Enrichment in Iran is certainly possible.”
He added that during the Geneva negotiations the issue of zero enrichment was ruled out, and that the U.S. side accepted that discussions should focus on the location, level, and number of centrifuges in order to reach an understanding. “Whether in the negotiations with the Americans in the spring of this year or in the Muscat and Geneva talks, Iran has firmly stood by preserving enrichment inside the country,” he said.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on Friday with the U.S. network MSNBC that “Washington has not asked Tehran to permanently abandon uranium enrichment,” and that Tehran has not proposed a temporary suspension of its enrichment activities.
Araghchi also rejected reports claiming that Iran had offered to suspend uranium enrichment for two to three years, saying it was not accurate that the United States had demanded a complete dismantlement of enrichment.
