Baku, Azerbaijan, July 16
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Benefiting commercially from the nuclear program is unlikely for Iran, Behrooz Bayat, a former consultant at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
After several months of talks, on July 14, Iran and the P5+1 (US, Russia, China, France, UK, and Germany) announced a final accord, curbing Iran 's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions. Following that Iran 's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as well as Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization announced that Iran is to start getting commercial benefits from its nuclear activities.
"If those who say that are serious in their words it is an illusion, however I think these statements are for promotional purposes," Bayat told Trend July 16.
According to the nuclear deal Iran has agreed to limit enrichment to 3.7 percent with some 5,000 centrifuges remained spinning and to cap its stockpile of low-enriched uranium at 300 kilograms, the expert underlined.
"So the Iranian administration should convince the public about this activity and its purposes," he underlined.
Bayat believes that Iran is not able to start competitive production in its nuclear activities neither now, nor in the future.
"For making the issue more clear, the costs for producing yellowcake in Iranian mines is some $750 per each kilogram according to the latest report published in IAEA Red Book, meanwhile in Canada it costs $60," he explained, adding it is still raw material and should be processed to uranium fuel where the process has its own costs.
"Now consider how Iran can compete in this sector?"
With these costs finding a consumer for Iran 's nuclear products is not likely, or they would sell their products with huge loses, Bayat underlined.
He said that most likely Iran would transfer its 3.7 percent enriched uranium to Russia for converting into fuel rods for the Islamic Republic.
The former IAEA consultant further touched upon the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 saying it is a good deal for all sides in particular for the Iranian people because the pressure of the sanctions on them will be lifted.
On the other hand, Iran's nuclear program, which has nothing but loss for people, will be limited and its costs will be decreased as well, Bayat said, adding Iran will step out of international isolation which will help improve situation of Iranian people.
The western countries' concerns are removed as well while the agreement will close all the paths for Iran if it someday wants to make nuclear weapon, the expert said.
It is also good for the Iranian government because some of its red lines, which were prestigious for them such as enrichment inside the country and maintaining Arak heavy water reactor are respected, he added.
Edited by CN
Umid Niayesh is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh