Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Saeedi: Iran-IAEA stop cooperation on regional projects

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 11, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Saeedi
Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Mohammad Saeedi said on Sunday that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will stop cooperation mainly on regional and extraregional projects.

The remark was made at a briefing session in response to a question about the major projects on which Iran-IAEA cooperation will stop.

"Training programs in various regional states, such as Singapore and Malaysia, have been omitted.

"Meanwhile, the projects somehow associated with nuclear materials, production of nuclear fuel and heavy water have also been suspended," he added.

Saeedi noted that out of 55 projects, on which Iran and IAEA cooperated, in 10 cases cooperation between the two sides ended.

"Besides, 12 projects are expected to be examined by the UN nuclear watchdog one by one and the IAEA's approach to the issue is positive.

Saeedi said that according to the IAEA decision, out of 15 national projects, three have been suspended.

In response to a question about the impact of ending Iran-IAEA cooperation on 10 projects, he said that actually they aimed to promote students' knowledge.

He added that the effect of stopping Iran's cooperation with the IAEA on 10 projects will be negligible.

About Arak reactor, he said that based on planned program, Tehran reactor will not last more than five years and that the 40-MW Arak reactor will be the best replacement for it, which will be commissioned as soon as Tehran reactor stops operating.

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