Azerbaijan, Baku, September 30 / Trend T. Jafarov /
After a sharp reaction of the West for the construction and activity of a new uranium enrichment plant near the town of Gum, official Tehran said that the facility is built for peaceful purposes. Correspondence has been repeatedly conducted with the IAEA on this issue.
On September 25 IAEA reported that Iran informed the agency about the construction of the plant, a source in the Iranian Foreign Ministry willing to remain anonymous said.
"IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire said that Iran provided information about construction of an uranium enrichment plant in the letter dated September 21 addressed to the IAEA. The letter said that the plant's enrichment capacity will hit 5 percent. In this letter Iran promised the IAEA during the corresponding period to provide additional information about the new plant," a source said.
He said that on September 25, the IAEA also sent a letter to Iran expressing gratitude for timely notification concerning the construction of a new plant.
According to Iranian diplomat, the IAEA's letter said: "In response to a letter dated September 21, 2009, we express our gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for providing the IAEA with information on a new uranium enrichment plant. These actions are necessary to build secure relations. We would appreciate if we get detailed information about this plant. The IAEA would like to get more information on the new plant as soon as possible. We are satisfied with our cooperation".
But, the source did not mention the purposes in which Iran intends to use enriched uranium. Uranium will be enriched in the new plant installed with 3,000 centrifuges.
The issue attracting attention concerning the uranium enrichment plant in Gum is that the productive capacity of this plant is not sufficient to provide even one reactor with fuel, Iranian expert Reza Taghizadeh living in London said.
"The potential of the uranium enrichment plant in Gum is insufficient to provide fuel production for the reactor of average level. But production of enriched uranium with use of 3,000 centrifuges is enough to get 3 atomic bombs per year," Taghizadeh told Trend over phone.
About 60,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges are necessary to provide 1,000-megawatt station, similar with atomic power plant in Bushara with fuel. However, a source in the Foreign Ministry said that a new uranium enrichment plant, as well as other Iranian nuclear facilities will operate within the laws of the IAEA.
He said that control over activity of the new plant and the activity itself will be made within the security agreement signed between Iran and the IAEA.
"According to item 3 / 1 of the annex to the treaty on security (it was approved by the Iranian parliament in 1976), Iran must inform the IAEA of a new facility six months before the centrifuges are filled with uranium gas.
For example, completing all construction work on a new nuclear facility, as well as work to maintain and install centrifuges, Iran must inform the IAEA six months before centrifuges are filled with uranium gas.
Iran also provided this organization with information about a new uranium enrichment plant being built near the town of Gum 18 months before centrifuges were filled with uranium gas," diplomat said.
He said that 1.5-2 years are necessary to put a new uranium enrichment plant into operation. "Iran has taken this action (the IAEA informed), primarily to ensure transparency," a source in the Foreign Ministry said.
He said that the item 3 / 1 has been recently changed. They envisage notification of the IAEA to begin construction of corresponding facilities. "When the question concerning Iranian nuclear program was sent to the UN Security Council and sanctions were imposed against Iran, Iran refused to accept these changes and returned to execute the provisions of paragraph 3 / 1, approved by the Parliament in 1976 ", a source said.
He said that Iran waited for approval of its transparent policy by Western countries.
"We never thought that political scandal would rouse of it, he said. Despite Iran provided information about a new plant prematurely, the U.S. and some western countries rouse scandal. We are surprised as it is impossible to meet these countries whatever we do. They must change their controversial position. "
Iran will never suspend its nuclear program, diplomat said
"Enrichment percent at Gum's plant is similar with the index of Natanz plant. It hits 5 percent. Construction of the plant was launched in Gum more than a year ago.
There were no radioactive substances up to now. The equipment was not installed. Construction work has been mainly done. According to the IAEA's laws, we were not obliged to inform about construction of a new plant. But for the sake of confidence and transparency, we announced about a plant prematurely, " a source said.
He said that the IAEA inspectors can control the new plant, as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi proposed earlier.
"If research and control are conducted within the law, there will be no problems. In this case, we are ready to coordinate the issue with the IAEA and announce the date of research," a source in the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.