Tehran Medical Reactor's Nuclear Fuel Could be Produced Domestically

 

Tehran, February 01, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - A former Iranian lawmaker in an interview with Mehr News Agency said Western failure to meet Iran’s deadline means that Tehran should have no choice but to start enriching uranium to 20 percent level required for its medical reactor. 

 

‘To provide the research reactor with fuel, Tehran has no way but to enrich uranium,’ Hamidreza Taraqi told the MNA on Sunday.

 

Earlier this year Tehran announced a deadline until the end of January for Western response to its generous nuclear swap offer that could have paved the ground for further cooperation in the nuclear field. But Western powers’ illogical approach to the issue ushers Tehran to begin enrichment to higher levels on its own.

 

All the radioisotopes produced at the reactor are utilized for diagnostic purposes at hospitals and MRI centres across the country. This leaves Tehran with limited time to negotiate on reactor’s fuel supply. According to Taraqi, one should expect Western powers try to prevent Iran from the 20 percent level enrichment process; however soon or later they would have to learn live with the facts and accept it as a reality. 

 

The former lawmaker also advised those countries that seek further sanctions on Iran that sanctions or military threats could not prevent Iran from continuing on the path towards independence in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.