Iran stands for nuclear fuel exchange only under the Tehran declaration, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin was quoted as saying today by the Mehr news agency.
A tripartite declaration on uranium exchange was reached on May 17 between Iran, Turkey and Brazil. The foreign ministers of these three countries signed a draft agreement for the exchange of Tehran's low-enriched uranium (up to 3.5 percent) for highly enriched uranium (up to 20 percent) for Tehran's research reactor. According to the document, the exchange would be made on Turkish territory.
Last week, the New York Times reported that the "5 +1" countries toughened the conditions for the exchange and decided to receive much lesser enriched uranium from Iran.
Based on the declaration, Iran was expected to hand over 1,200 kilograms of low enriched uranium and receive 20-percent enriched uranium. Today, Iran has 2,800 kilograms of low enriched uranium.
Iran and six international mediators (Russia, the United States, China, the UK, France and Germany) are expected to launch new talks on Nov. 10 after a one-year hiatus.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton will represent the structure at the discussions.