Russia offers to export Iran's excess enriched uranium

According to RIA Novosti, at a press conference after the BRICS summit on July 7, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed exporting excess enriched uranium from Iran so that the uranium there is truly “depleted”; at the same time, reusing nuclear power plants. According to Mr. Lavrov, if necessary and Tehran expressed its desire, Russia is ready to become an intermediary between the US and Iran.

Mr. Lavrov noted that Russia is not only demonstrating mediation efforts to resolve the conflict over Iran's nuclear program.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that when the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) was agreed, he took into account Russia's ability to provide services related to the complete release of uranium, which existed in Iran before the adoption of this document. The amount of uranium will be only at the level necessary for energy purposes, for use in nuclear power plants,” Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said, clarifying that since the negotiations between the United States and Iran until recently discussed, among other things, the limitation of uranium enrichment, Moscow reminded the negotiators “that we have such technological opportunities.”

“And we are ready to present a plan, taking the excess of highly enriched uranium for processing to Russia and returning the enriched uranium to the Islamic Republic for operating its nuclear power plants. Of course, if the parties feel comfortable, Russia will help them get closer – now the US wants to talk again with Iran, Oman and a number of other Arab countries of the Persian Gulf are also actively helping. If the main character – Tehran, wishes, then we are always ready,” the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Lavrov recalled that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian Nuclear Program, which the United States withdrew from in 2018, was the result of joint efforts by the "Eurotroika", the United States, Russia, China and Iran.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, said on social network X that Tehran's uranium enrichment to 60% is Tehran's response to illegal sanctions and aggressive pressure.

“Do you think that enriching uranium to 60% is just a countermeasure, a response to illegal sanctions and strong pressure? This seems to be a quite effective countermeasure that worries those who are trying to put pressure on Iran,” wrote Ambassador Ulyanov.