“Although the other sides did not suppose that we could produce 20 percent enriched uranium and convert it into fuel plates, they will see that we will load the fuel plates that we have produced in our country into the Tehran research reactor within a month,” Salehi explained.
On the sidelines of the Group of 15 summit, which was held in Tehran on May 17, 2010, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil issued a declaration, according to which Iran was to ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
But the United States and its allies ignored the deal meant to show Iran’s goodwill, and imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran in June 2010.
In response, Iran decided to produce 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel and convert it into plate type nuclear fuel, and constructed an advanced plant at the Isfahan nuclear facility for manufacturing nuclear fuel plates. With the construction of the plant, Iran is now among the few countries that can manufacture both nuclear fuel rods and plates.
AM/
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MNA