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Russia says never bows to pressures on nuclear deal with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, June 18, IRNA -- Head of Russian Atomic Energy Agency 
Alexander Rumyantsev said here on Friday that Russia will never bow to
foreign pressure to stop nuclear cooperation with Iran. 
Rumyantsev, speaking in a meeting with Iranian journalists, 
admitted that certain countries are pressuring Russia to decrease 
nuclear ties with the Islamic Republic, stressing however that Moscow 
will never care about such positions. 
"Our American colleagues criticize us that why Russia is 
increasing cooperation with Iran and our response is that Moscow`s 
cooperation with Tehran is based on international norms," he said. 
Rumyantsev recalled the international propaganda against Iran`s 
nuclear energy activities, stressing that not only Iran, but also 
countries such as the US and Russia, still need to exploit the nuclear
technology to satisfy energy needs. 
He further described Iran-Russia cooperation over Bushehr nuclear 
power plant as constructive, stressing that both sides have always 
removed the faults of the project rapidly. 
Rumyantsev rejected rumors that Bushehr project had been delayed 
as the result of foreign pressure, and said the current pressure to 
stop the project is non-political. 
"Our international counterparts are pursuing goals beyond this," 
he said. 
"Russia`s response to them regarding the nuclear fuel which is 
delivered to Iran is that the Iranians will return the recycled fuel 
of Bushehr to Russia." 
Rumyantsev said all the documents on the issue are ready to be 
signed by Iran and Russia, adding however that Tehran will not sign 
the deal for economic reasons although it has already approved it. 
"Iran never knew that it must pay the costs for returning the fuel
to Russia, and is currently evaluating Moscow`s offers in comparison 
to international rates," he said. 
Rumyantsev rejected claims that Iran may use Russia`s nuclear 
expertise for military purposes. 
He also rejected comments by critics of Iran-Russia nuclear 
cooperation that Russia`s nuclear technology is not efficient and 
lacks the required security standards. 
In response to a question that how long Russian experts will stay 
in Iran after Bushehr project is complete, the Russian top nuclear 
official said Moscow would welcome any decision by the bilateral 
committee that has been set up on the issue, stressing that Russian 
experts will stay in Iran as long as Tehran wants to. 
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