FM: Iran may dilute highly enriched uranium only inside country

Iran is prepared to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but only within its own territory, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

Araghchi said key issues, including the lifting of sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme, remain unresolved and will be addressed as part of a final agreement, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media. 

“Two issues—the lifting of sanctions against Iran and the nuclear issue—have been deferred until a final agreement is reached,” he said. 

He added that the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment levels and existing stockpiles would be determined within the framework of such an agreement.

“Our position has always been that if the fate of 60-per-cent enriched materials is to be determined, the only way to do so is to dilute them within Iran,” Araghchi said.

He emphasised that Tehran’s position is that any resolution regarding enriched uranium stockpiles is to be carried out domestically.

“We are seeking to ensure that it is specified: the resolution of the issue (of enriched materials) will lie precisely in this realm,” he added.

By Sabina Mammadli