{{Iran nuclear program}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location={{w|Tehran|TEHRAN}}}} {{w|Hassan Rowhani}}, head of the {{w|Supreme National Security Council}} for [[Iran]], announced Monday that the country would temporarily suspend conversion of {{w|uranium}} as of November 22.  "Iran is planning to suspend uranium conversion activities from November 22," Rowhani said during a news conference.

Uranium is a chemical element which can be used in {{w|nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons}} and {{w|nuclear power|nuclear power plants}}.  The process of conversion modifies the uranium oxydes into {{w|uranium hexafluoride}}.  The purpose of such a conversion process is usually an intermediate step in the production of {{w|nuclear fuel}}. Uranium hexafluoride cannot itself be used in a nuclear weapon, but can be {{w|uranium enrichment|enriched}} into weapons-grade uranium, or it can be converted into {{w|plutonium}} in a {{w|nuclear reactor technology|nuclear reactor}}. Iran has claimed to be using its nuclear program for only peaceful nuclear energy, rather than for nuclear weapons, but there are concerns in the [[European Union]] and the [[United States|USA]] as to whether they are being truthful.

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== Related news ==
{{wikipedia|Nuclear program of Iran}}
*{{wikinews|title=Iran close to decision on nuclear program|date=November 13, 2004}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/ur-conversion.html Uranium Conversion]

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[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]
Supreme National Security Council for Iran, announced Monday that the country would temporarily suspend conversion of  as of November 22.  "Iran is planning to suspend uranium conversion activities from November 22," Rowhani said during a news conference.

Uranium is a chemical element which can be used in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.  The process of conversion modifies the uranium oxydes into nuclear fuel. Uranium hexafluoride cannot itself be used in a nuclear weapon, but can be enriched into weapons-grade uranium, or it can be converted into nuclear reactor technology|nuclear reactor. Iran has claimed to be using its nuclear program for only peaceful nuclear energy, rather than for nuclear weapons, but there are concerns in the European Union and the USA as to whether they are being truthful.