Russia is Iran’s major nuclear cooperation partner — Zarif

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Russia is Iran’s major partner in nuclear energy cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday following talks with Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov.

"Russia and Iran will cooperate in the production of stable isotopes in accordance with the Vienna agreements on Fordow," Zarif said. "As for cooperation to exchange enriched uranium for natural uranium, the agreement envisages that as well. It is backed by the UN Security Council resolution. I hope that peaceful nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia will receive a fresh impetus after the Vienna agreements. This includes projects on the construction of new units at Bushehr and on nuclear fuel."

He voiced confidence that Russia "would play a leading role in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action" to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear program.

"The removal of sanctions will create conditions for the comprehensive development of relations between our countries in various fields of political, economic and cultural cooperation, and the forthcoming session of the intergovernmental commission due to take place in the autumn will contribute to that," Zarif said. "Our counties are linked by the long history of trade and economic cooperation, including in the oil sector. The lifting of sanctions will destroy barriers in the implementation of previous agreements. Russia and Iran will be able to benefit from this to develop and expand the bilateral ties."

The Vienna plan on the Iranian nuclear program envisages Russia’s active involvement in its implementation. Russia will remove from Iran low-enriched uranium in exchange for natural uranium and will launch together with the Iranian side the production of stable isotopes at the Fordow facility.