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Russian move to ease Iran standoff

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Iran and Russia are holding talks that could help ease tensions surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme.

The two countries are discussing construction of a joint nuclear facility in Russia which would produce enriched uranium, meant for generating electricity, for export.

Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed official in the Russian Atomic Energy Agency as saying the offer envisaged a 50-50 joint venture for commercial purposes. He cautioned that the proposal was still at an elementary stage. "It's a very, very tentative plan. If it happens, it would take years to set it up.... All sides have to be convinced — Iran, the European Union and others.''

Iran would carry out the initial phase of making uranium hexafluoride, which would be transferred to Russia. Officials from the E.U. were quoted as saying Iranians would not own technology at the facility but would be involved in the enrichment process.

Enrichment know-how

Iran has insisted that it has the right to master the nuclear fuel cycle and the proposal can be interpreted as a fulfilment of its demand, as Iranian personnel would be allowed to acquire the know-how related to enrichment.

The plan also addresses western concerns about Iran diverting nuclear material for making weapons.

The Russian proposal combines an earlier South African offer. South Africa had reportedly proposed that Iran could convert its uranium to uranium hexafluoride gas that would then be sent back to the country.

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