Putin lifts export ban on uranium enrichment equipment to Iran
Published time: 23 Nov, 2015 09:44
Edited time: 23 Nov, 2015 11:19
https://www.rt.com/business/323072-putin-iran-uranium-import/

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree lifting the ban on
supplying Iran with uranium enrichment equipment. It is linked to Russia
importing enriched uranium from Iran, according to the official government
website.

The Russian President is visiting Tehran to take part in Gas Exporting
Countries Forum summit, and is holding talks on Monday with Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani and the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to the document, the ban on supplying goods, materials and
equipment no longer applies “to the exports of the enriched uranium from the
Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The decision to export low-enriched uranium from Iran to Russia was reached
in the framework of the agreement between Iran and the six international
mediators in July. According to the deal, Tehran must get rid of 98 percent
of its enriched uranium. Iran also agreed not to enrich uranium by more than
3.67 percent for 15 years and to possess no more than 300 kilograms of the
material.

Iran faced years of international sanctions due to fears its nuclear program
was aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has insisted the program is
peaceful and its purpose is to develop nuclear energy.

Sanctions against the country are yet to be lifted, as the International
Atomic Energy Agency has to confirm that Iran has met its obligations.
Tehran says it’s cooperating with the nuclear watchdog.

It’s the first official trip by President Putin to Iran since his visit in
2007. According to Putin's spokesman, Russian and Iranian leaders will
discuss a range of bilateral issues, such as trade and investment
cooperation, nuclear energy, oil and gas. They will also exchange views on
international issues - the settlement of the conflict in Syria, the fight
against terrorism and the implementation of the joint action plan on Iran's
nuclear program.