Russia says no answer from Iran on uranium enrichment

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-19 21:21

MOSCOW - Iran has not yet given its final answer on conducting uranium enrichment activities abroad, said a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman here on Thursday.

"As far as we know, there has been no official final response from Tehran on the implementation of the scheme for taking low-enriched uranium from Iran for its enrichment and fuel assembly production," said Andrei Nesterenko at a press briefing, the text of which has been published on the ministry website.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday his country had already submitted its response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adding that Iran would consider a uranium-for-fuel swap inside the country.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei "continues working on the coordination of the technical aspects of the implementation of this mechanism," said Nesterenko.

Iran has been repeatedly urged to respond to the draft deal brokered by the IAEA.

The deal calls for shipping some 70 percent of Iran's enriched uranium abroad in exchange for fuel rods for research use. It has been agreed by the other parties involved in negotiations with Tehran, including the United States, Russia and France.

"There are various proposals on this issue, for example, the transportation and 'responsible storage' of Iranian low-enriched uranium to third countries under IAEA observation before the production of the fuel. Tehran is offering various options also," said the Russian diplomat.

"Iran also has its concerns, and it is looking for the best conditions," he added.

"We attach great importance to the successful implementation of the developed mechanism. We believe that this would be a significant step in restoring confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," said the spokesman, adding that currently no additional sanctions against Iran were being discussed.

"At this stage, it is important to give diplomacy time to work, and excessive emotions only harm the cause," he said.

Iran has had to weather international objections in pursuing its nuclear ambitions. Western powers suspect Iran plans to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at generating nuclear energy for civilian purposes.