Major Powers Reject Tehran Agreement

The major powers of the so-called Vienna Group-- the US, Russia and France, today dismissed the Iranian proposal to swap 1,200kg of its low enriched uranium (LEU) for higher enriched reactor fuel. The Iranian proposal was based on the agreement reached in Tehran between Iran, Brazil and Turkey, the so-called Tehran Agreement. The three major powers said that unlike the original plan drawn up eight months ago, the new swap proposal would leave Iran with enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon. They also raised objections to a series of questions within the Iranian proposal that would in effect stall any negotiations on the key issues involving the Iranian nuclear program.

The IAEA confirmed receipt of the three-nation response and said it would pass it to Tehran.

The UN Security Council is in session now, and it is expected to pass a new sanctions resolution against Iran.

Continued Tensions over Enrichment Program

Iran officially sent the text of Tehran Agreement to IAEA today. The letter from Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi accompanying the text calls the agreement “a major progress toward defusing international tensions” over the country’s uranium enrichment program [IRNA, 24 May]. Tehran’s proposal calls for swapping 1,200 kg of the country’s low-enriched uranium (LEU) for fuel to run a medical research reactor in Tehran.

IAEA will convey the letter to Russia, France and the US, the parties to the original fuel swap deal brokered by IAEA former boss Mohamed ElBaradei last October, for their consideration. The West has voiced doubt about the value of the new proposal since the amount of LEU to be swapped no longer represents the bulk of Iran’s stockpile that has grown significantly since October.

The major powers are expected to additionally call for the immediate suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, with UNSC imposing new sanctions if Iran refuses to suspend. But the Iranian speaker of parliament, Ali Larijani, warned yesterday that Iran would cancel the Tehran Agreement if UNSC approves a new round of sanctions. It seems the parties are back to square one, with tensions surrounding Tehran’s enrichment program as strong as ever.

Iran Threatens to Abandon Tehran Agreement

Iran’s influential Speaker of the Parliament, Ali Larijani, said today in Tehran that Iran will abandon the Tehran Agreement for shipping some of its enriched uranium stockpile abroad if new UN sanctions are imposed against the country [IRNA, 23 May]. On Thursday, the deputy speaker of Majlis had linked the implementation of Tehran Agreement to any new UN sanctions.

Iran to Send Nuclear Agreement to IAEA

Iran will hand an official letter to the IAEA chief on Monday formally announcing the nuclear fuel swap agreement with Brazil and Turkey [IRNA, 21 May].

New Sanctions Will Void Nuclear Agreement – Iran Official

The Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Majlis, said today that Iran will cancel the accord with Turkey and Brazil to transfer 1,200 kg of its LEU to Turkey if the UN Security Council approves the proposed sanctions resolution against Iran. Mohammad Reza Bahonar made his remarks at a gathering of the Islamic Engineers Association in Tehran [Mehr News Agency, 20 May].

Bahonar added that he expects the fourth round of UN sanctions to be approved in the near future and in that case the Tehran Agreement will be considered null and void and Iran will continue its 20 percent uranium enrichment program. This is the first time that a senior Iranian official has linked the implementation of Tehran Agreement to the passage of the proposed sanctions resolution at UNSC. It is not clear yet whether his remarks represents the official policy of Iran.

Iran: No Retreats; More LEU Remaining Than Being Swapped

President Ahmadinejad’s Chief of Staff Esfandiar Rahim- Moshaie told reporters in Tehran today that the Islamic Republic has not backed down from its previous positions on enriched uranium swap with the West. Rahim- Moshaie said Tehran nuclear agreement with Brazil and Turkey should not be seen as a retreat.

“We have not backed down. We have not retreated form our previous positions on [enriched uranium] swap,” Rahim- Moshaie said [ISNA, 18 May].

“ Tehran agreement explicitly recognizes Iran’s right to maintain complete cycle of uranium enrichment and peaceful nuclear fuel production,” added Rahim- Moshaie. “The West wanted to portray Iran as the party unwilling to accept the [enriched uranium] swap, but the agreement proved otherwise.”

Rahim- Moshaie blasted the left critics of Tehran agreement, saying even after the swap and shipping out LEU to Turkey, the amount of LEU left inside the country will be more than the volume shipped out.

“We have no problem producing 3.5 percent LEU. We will have more LEU than the amount we will ship to Turkey,” Rahim- Moshaie said [ISNA, 18 May].

Nuclear Agreement in Tehran: Text

The following is the text of the ten-point detailed declaration on the nuclear swap deal, put forward by the leaders of Brazil, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran:

1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and in accordance with the related articles of the NPT, recall the right of all state parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy (as well as nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment activities) for peaceful purposes without discrimination.

2. We express our strong conviction that we have the opportunity now to begin a forward looking process that will create a positive, constructive, non-confrontational atmosphere leading to an era of interaction and cooperation.

3. We believe that the nuclear fuel exchange is instrumental in initiating cooperation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear cooperation including nuclear power plant and research reactors construction.

4. Based on this point, the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting point to begin cooperation and a positive constructive move forward among nations. Such a move should lead to positive interaction and cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities replacing and avoiding all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardize Iran's rights and obligations under the NPT.

5. Based on the above, in order to facilitate the nuclear cooperation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to deposit 1200 kilograms LEU in Turkey. While in Turkey this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey.

6. Iran will notify the IAEA in writing through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration. Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group (US, Russia, France 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 kilograms of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).

7. When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, then both parties would commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement mentioned in item 6. The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness to deposit its LEU (1200 kilograms) within one month. On the basis of the same agreement the Vienna Group should deliver 120 kilograms fuel required for TRR in no later than one year.

8. In case the provisions of this Declaration are not respected, Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran's LEU to Iran.

9. We welcome the decision of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue as in the past their talks with the 5+1 countries in Turkey on the common concerns based on collective commitments according to the common points of their proposals.

10. Turkey and Brazil appreciated Iran's commitment to the NPT and its constructive role in pursuing the realization of nuclear rights of its member states. The Islamic Republic of Iran likewise appreciated the constructive efforts of the friendly countries Turkey and Brazil in creating the conducive environment for realization of Iran's nuclear rights.

Photo: Hamed Malekpour at Fars News Agency

Nuclear Agreement in Tehran

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced today in Tehran that after 18 hours of intense negotiations with Brazil and Turkey, Iran has agreed on the nuclear fuel swap deal, ending a standoff with the West over its uranium enrichment program.

The details of the agreement was not disclosed, but Uskowi on Iran has learned that the deal calls for Iran to ship out most of its current inventory of enriched uranium to Turkey in return for higher-grade uranium fuel used in medical research. A formal announcement is expected on Monday.

Earlier today, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew unexpectedly to Tehran to join Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to seal the deal.