Iran-Built Nuclear Fuel Rod Inserted into Reactor

Final Step in Nuclear Fuel Production Cycle

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today oversaw the insertion of the first Iranian domestically made fuel rod into a research reactor in Tehran. Meanwhile, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced that the new generation of also domestically made high-speed centrifuges have been installed and have gone into operation at Natanz uranium enrichment plant in central Iran [IRNA and Fars News Agency, 15 February].

The manufacturing of nuclear fuel rod is reportedly the final step in the entire cycle of nuclear fuel, from extracting uranium ore to producing the finished rods.

Today's events represent major progress in the development of the country’s nuclear technology. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use only, while the Western powers suspect it is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

Iran Produces Uranium Fuel Rod

Iran announced a nuclear fuel breakthrough today. The state television said Iran has successfully produced and tested its own uranium fuel rods for use in nuclear reactors. The rods were made in Iran and inserted into the core of Tehran's nuclear research reactor. The breakthrough is a major step in developing a complete domestic nuclear fuel cycle to power reactors [IRIB, 1 January].