Kerry Praises Russia Shipping 25,000 Pounds of Uranium Out of Iran

Sputnik News

22:22 28.12.2015(updated 23:10 28.12.2015)

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Russia played a vital role in arranging for 25,000 pounds of low-enriched uranium being shipped out of Iran on Monday in compliance with the P5+1 nuclear agreement.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Russia played a vital role in arranging for 25,000 pounds of low-enriched uranium being shipped out of Iran on Monday in compliance with the P5+1 nuclear agreement, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.

'One of the most significant steps Iran has taken toward fulfilling its commitments occurred today, when a ship departed Iran for Russia carrying over 25,000 pounds of low-enriched uranium materials,' Kerry said on Monday. 'Russia, as a participant in the JCPOA…played an essential role by taking this material out of Iran and providing natural uranium in exchange.'

The shipment comprised all of Iran's nuclear material enriched to 20 percent not already in the form of fabricated fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor, according to the statement.

"This removal of all this enriched material out of Iran is a significant step toward Iran meeting its commitment to have no more than 300 kg of low-enriched uranium by Implementation Day[of the agreement]," Kerry stated.

Monday's shipment more than tripled the previous two-to-three month breakout timeline for Iran to acquire enough weapons grade uranium for one weapon, Kerry explained.

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