Iran awaits West’s reply to declaration

Iran says the new nuclear declaration leaves no excuse for the other side to block the nuclear fuel swap as it seeks cooperation rather than confrontation.

Following the three-way talks between Iran, Turkey and Brazil, Tehran announced a nuclear declaration on Monday whereby Tehran would send some 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of higher enriched uranium.

The declaration came as part of an earlier plan to supply fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients.

The declaration seeks to provide Iran with concrete guarantees over the fuel delivery.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that Iran expected a logical response from the other side involved in the swap.

“Now, the world community is awaiting Vienna group’s measure and we hope that they do not delay any longer,” he said.

“If Western countries continue to invent excuses, it will be known that they are not looking for a solution and a logical approach to the issue,” he added.

Mehmanparast said that Iran’s readiness to exchange its low-enriched uranium on Turkey’s soil was a major step toward “creating an atmosphere of cooperation instead of confrontation.”

He said Iran was optimistic about the declaration, hoping that a final agreement on the plan could set stage for nuclear cooperation.

The declaration stipulates that Ankara hold Tehran’s low-enriched uranium and return it if Iran does not receive the higher enriched uranium from either France or Russia in a specific time period.