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Tehran declaration

May, 17 2010

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Introduction

Introduction

 

The Teheran declaration was a response to  U.S.- backed 2009 IAEA proposal for Iran to swap all of its partially enriched uranium with fully enriched uranium to be supplied by Russia and France to fuel the Teheran medical reactor. This would reduce Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium that could be used to make an atomic bomb, and allow time for negotiations. But Iran set various conditions that would nullify the purpose of the swap and continued to enrich uranium (ref).

After missing the deadline for response to the IAEA proposal, and meanwhile accumulating sufficient additional refined uranium to make a nuclear weapon, Iran agreed to swap only a portion of its accumulated uranium for fully enriched uranium to be supplied by Brazil and used in the Tehran medical reactor. Turkey would keep the light enriched uranium, but it would remain property of Iran. The IAEA did not accept the Tehran declaration and no fuel swap ever took place.  

By May 31, 2010 Iran had accumulated about 2.4 tons of lightly enriched uranium according to an IAEA report. (ref). Therefore, removing 1.2 tons of lightly enriched uranium, as proposed in Tehran declaration, would be inconsequential. The Bushehr nuclear plant, which began taking on fuel in August, received fuel  rods from  Russia and did not use any of the Iranian stockpile (ref).

Ami Isseroff (September 5, 2010)


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Source:

JOINT DECLARATION BY IRAN, TURKEY AND BRAZIL

(17 May 2010)

Having met in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, the undersigned have agreed on the following Declaration:

1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 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 kg 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 kg 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 implemention of the agreement mentioned in item 6. Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness to deposit its LEU (1200 kg) within one month. On the basis of the same agreement the Vienna Group should deliver 120 kg 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.

 

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