Iranian uranium being removed to Russia, process due to end this year - source
MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - The process of Iranian uranium removal to Russia required by the Iran nuclear deal has begun and is due to end this year, a Russian diplomatic source has told Interfax.
"The removal process is underway; it is due to be completed before the end of December," the source said.
This is a two-way process, "the finalization of which envisages the removal of low-enriched uranium from Iranian territory and the Russian supply of natural uranium to Tehran," he said.
"Low-enriched uranium will be taken to Russia, but there are also other components which may be taken to Kazakhstan for storage," he said.
"The issue is still being considered," the source said.
At the same time, Russia has yet to reach a final agreement with Iran on its involvement in the reconfiguration of the Fordo nuclear site, he said.
"Negotiations concerning Fordo are in progress; no specific agreements have been achieved as of yet," the source said, adding that Iran "had started to dismantle centrifuges at the Fordo site" in line with the agreement with the P5+1 group.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program took effect on October 18, 2015.
The plan binds Iran to meet a number of key commitments and to provide the IAEA with complete information about the possible former military component of the Iranian nuclear program before Implementation Day.
The plan compels Iran to meet a variety of commitments to the P5+1 group, such as the removal of low-enriched uranium from Iranian territory and the reconfiguration of the Fordo nuclear site.
Iran is expected to meet its commitments with the direct involvement of Russia.
The P5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) and Iran reached a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear program in Vienna on July 14, 2015.
