Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Thursday that it had received an "initial" response from Iran.

A source close to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said that Tehran is seeking two crucial changes to the deal, asking for gradual shipment of its uranium and the "simultaneous exchange" of nuclear fuel in return.

It comes after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, said he was ready to co-operate with Western powers on nuclear fuel and technology issues.

"We welcome fuel exchange, nuclear co-operation, building of power plants and reactors and we are ready to co-operate," he said in a live broadcast on state television.

Ahmadinejad added that Iran would not retreat "one iota" on its nuclear rights, and that the provision of nuclear fuel to a Tehran reactor would test the "honesty" of global powers.

'Buying time'

The pact, which would allow Iran to receive nuclear fuel for a research reactor, was designed to help allay fears among Western nations that believe Iran intends to build nuclear weapons - a charge Tehran denies.

Baqer Moin, an author and journalist who specialises in Iran, said that Ahmadinejad's government may see a "positive side to the deal if it leads to reduce the international sanctions".

"I think that if the sanctions are lifted, it will help the Iranian economy because they really can't afford to have a major foreign policy problem while at the same time an internal problem of unemployment," he said.

The news comes as a team from the IAEA returned to base in Vienna, Austria, after inspecting a controversial nuclear plant near the Iranian town of Qom.

Last month's disclosure over the Qom plant added to international concern over Iran's atomic programme.

Iran has already been enriching uranium - the most controversial aspect of its nuclear project - for several years at another plant in the central city of Natanz, in defiance of three sets of UN sanctions.

Enriched uranium produces fuel for civilian reactors, but in a highly extended form can also make the fissile core of an atomic bomb.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4