Iran discusses nuclear ships plan with IAEA chief

[Hindustani78]

AFP | Published — Sunday 18 December 2016
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1026131/middle-east

TEHRAN: Iran discussed its plans for nuclear-powered ships with UN nuclear chief Yukiyo Amano on Sunday, saying it would present details within three months, local media reported.

Amano did not comment on the plans to produce nuclear-powered engines, but said Iran had so far met all of its commitments under last year’s nuclear deal with world powers.

“We discussed the nuclear-powered engines in detail,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, adding that he and Amano talked about the most controversial point — the level of uranium-enrichment required for the ships.

“This is not a simple matter that can be decided quickly. We have three months to review it,” he told reporters.

“Normally, the enrichment for such engines is between five percent and 90 percent. It depends on the type of engine and the time and goal we want to reach,” said Salehi.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani last week announced the plans for nuclear-powered ships in response to news that the United States was renewing sanctions legislation, which he said was a “clear violation” of the nuclear deal.

Under the deal, Iran is only allowed to enrich uranium to 3.67 percent, but that limit falls away after 15 years.

Tehran says Washington has breached the nuclear accord by renewing the Iran Sanctions Act, even though almost all of its measures remain suspended under the deal.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/intern...t-to-nuke-deal-IAEA-chief/article16899935.ece
We are satisfied: Yukiya Amano

“We are satisfied with the implementation of the [agreement] and hope that this process will continue,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano was quoted as telling reporters in Tehran by the IRNA news agency.

“Iran has been committed to its engagement so far and this is important,” Mr. Amano was quoted as saying after meeting Iran’s nuclear energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi.

In response to the U.S. sanctions extension, Iran ordered its scientists last week to start developing systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels.

Trump had said he will scrap deal

That action is expected to worsen tensions with Washington, already heightened by a promise by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to scrap the deal.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met Mr. Amano on Sunday and “expressed hope that Iran and the IAEA will be able to have good technical cooperation on nuclear propulsion for transports,” the semi-official Fars news agency said.

Mr. Salehi, said he presented the nuclear propulsion project to Mr. Amano during their meeting, adding that Iran would provide details of it in three months, IRNA reported.

More fissile purity uranium enrichment

Nuclear experts have said that Iran’s move, if carried out, will probably require Tehran to enrich uranium to a fissile purity above the maximum level set in the nuclear deal to allay fears of the country building an atomic bomb.

Mr. Salehi said the fuel used for nuclear propulsion could range between 5 and 90 per cent in enrichment, but added: “We will certainly act within the framework of the [agreement],” IRNA reported.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran curbed its nuclear fuel production activities in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. Tehran is not allowed to enrich uranium above a 3.67 per cent purity for 15 years, a level unlikely to be enough to run such vessels, according to experts.

Iran on Saturday also requested a meeting of a commission comprising representatives of signatories to the accord that is overseeing its implementation.

 

[yavar]