Russia lifts nuclear export ban on Iran

Middle East, News November 23, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation decision follows a landmark deal between six world powers and Iran in July

TEHRAN (Iran) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree which eased an export ban on nuclear equipment and technology to Iran. The decision is linked to Russia importing enriched uranium from Iran, according to the official government website.

The decree was issued on the same day when Putin arrived in Iran on an official visit, saying Russian firms were now authorized to export hardware and to provide financial and technical advice to help Iran.

Russia lifted a ban on delivering technology for the modernization of Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility and reactor in Arak, according to a document published Monday on Russia’s official legal information website. In addition to the lifting the ban on supplying Iran with uranium-enrichment equipment, technology and related materials, the two countries will extend cooperation on implementing various joint nuclear projects.

According to the document, the ban on supplying goods, materials and equipment no longer applies “to the exports of the enriched uranium from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The Russian move comes after Iran and six world powers reached a deal in July under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. UN sanctions are yet to be lifted in exchange for that agreement, under a deal signed in July.

The Russian President is visiting Tehran to take part in Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit, and is holding talks on Monday with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin also held a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and discussed issues related to bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, the situation in Syria and a number of other topics, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The leaders of Russia and Iran underscored their growing alliance in the Middle East by declaring their opposition to external attempts to impose a solution to the civil war in Syria, where both have deployed military power.

“Nobody from outside should impose on the Syrian people any form of government of the state, and who personally should govern it,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in televised remarks at talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday. “Only the Syrian people can decide this.”

The Russian President is visiting Tehran to take part in Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, and is holding talks on Monday with Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

President Vladimir Putin’s first visit to Iran since 2007 is an attempt to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.

Based on reporting by RT, TASS, Sputnik, MehrNews, IRNA and Reuters