Russia makes first nuclear fuel shipments to Iran
{{date|December 18, 2007}}
{{Iran nuclear program}}
[[Image:Bush Dec 17, 2007.jpg|thumb|left|250px|President [[George W. Bush]] talking today]]
[[Russia]] has made delivery of its first shipment of nuclear fuel to [[Iran]]'s [[w:Nuclear_program_of_Iran#Bushehr|Bushehr facility]], which is also being built by Russia. Both the [[w:Government of Russia|Kremlin]] and the [[w:Executive Office of the President of the United States|White House]] say that this should allow Iran to shut down its controversial [[w:Enriched uranium|uranium enrichment]] program.

The Russian company, [[w:Atomstroiexport|Atomstroiexport]], said that the shipments began on Sunday. It was also confirmed by [[w:Gholam Reza Aghazadeh|Gholam Reza Aghazadeh]], the head of the [[w:Atomic Energy Organization of Iran|Atomic Energy Organization of Iran]].

"If the Russians are willing to do that, which I support, then the Iranians do not need to learn how to enrich," [[United States]] President [[George W. Bush]] said on Monday during a visit to [[Virginia]]. "If the Iranians accept that uranium for a civilian nuclear power plant, then there's no need for them to learn how to enrich."

The [[w:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia]] said in a statement: "We believe that qualitatively new conditions have been created which will allow Iran to take the steps which are demanded of it ... for the restoration of trust in the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program."

Russia says that Bushehr is being built under the supervision of the [[w:International Atomic Energy Agency|International Atomic Energy Agency]], thus preventing it from being used for military purposes.

A senior Iranian official told [[w:Reuters|Reuters]] that Iran will not stop enrichment under any circumstances, because it needs the nuclear fuel for other plants.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Putin promises to complete Iran's nuclear reactor|date=October 17, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Russia: Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant to be delayed|date=March 13, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7147463.stm
|title=Russia ships nuclear fuel to Iran
|author=|pub=BBC News Online
|date=December 17, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL177524820071217
|title=Russia delivers first nuclear fuel to Iran
|author=Christian Lowe
|pub=Reuters
|date=December 17, 2007}}

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[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Russia]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]
[[Category:IAEA]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]

[[pt:Rússia faz remessa de combustível nuclear para o Irã]]
President George W. Bush talking today
Russia has made delivery of its first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran's Bushehr facility, which is also being built by Russia. Both the Kremlin and the White House say that this should allow Iran to shut down its controversial uranium enrichment program.

The Russian company, Atomstroiexport, said that the shipments began on Sunday. It was also confirmed by Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

"If the Russians are willing to do that, which I support, then the Iranians do not need to learn how to enrich," United States President George W. Bush said on Monday during a visit to Virginia. "If the Iranians accept that uranium for a civilian nuclear power plant, then there's no need for them to learn how to enrich."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said in a statement: "We believe that qualitatively new conditions have been created which will allow Iran to take the steps which are demanded of it ... for the restoration of trust in the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program."

Russia says that Bushehr is being built under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, thus preventing it from being used for military purposes.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran will not stop enrichment under any circumstances, because it needs the nuclear fuel for other plants.


Rússia faz remessa de combustível nuclear para o Irã
Asia Middle East Iran Europe Russia Energy Nuclear proliferation IAEA Nuclear power