Iran details conditions for N-swap deal

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has detailed the terms and conditions of a nuclear swap deal aimed at ending the standoff over the country’s uranium enrichment.

In a declaration he read out to reporters on Monday, Mottaki also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the legal right of all member states, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

He expressed hope that Tehran’s decision to accept the deal would create a positive, constructive, and non-confrontational atmosphere that will open a new chapter of interaction and cooperation between Iran and the West.

Under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mottaki said, Tehran has agreed to deposit 1,200 kg of its domestic low-enriched uranium (LEU) in Turkey, where it will continue to remain the property of Iran.

He added Iran will ask the IAEA to station its personnel in Turkey to monitor the safe-keeping of the dispatched LEU.

The top diplomat underlined Iran will inform the IAEA of its decision “through official channels” within no more than seven days from the Monday meeting.

“Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group –which includes Russia, France, the United States and the IAEA- further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 cages of fuel needed for the Tehran research reactor (TRR),” noted Mottaki.

If the Vienna Group accepts Iran’s terms and conditions, Mottaki said, both parties will “commit themselves to the implementation” of the deal, which requires Iran to deposit its LEU in Turkey within one month, and in return, the Vienna group will deliver 120 kg of fuel required for the Tehran reactor in no later than one year.

He warned that if the provisions of the deal are not respected, Turkey will, upon the request of Iran, send back the LEU “swiftly and unconditionally”.