Source:
Bloomberg.comIran to Produce Medical Reactor Fuel Within Year, Atomic Agency Chief Says
Iran’s atomic energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said his country will produce within a year the fuel needed for Tehran’s medical research reactor, state-run Press TV reported.
Iran has enriched 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of uranium to the required 20 percent purity to fuel the reactor in the Iranian capital, Salehi, who heads Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was cited as saying in a report published on Press TV’s website.
Iran does not intend to enrich all its stockpile of uranium to that level, Salehi told the channel, adding that the higher- grade enrichment work will stop once sufficient fuel is produced for the reactor.
Iran began processing low-enriched uranium to reactor grade in February. Iran needs 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium to supply the reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients and will soon run out of fuel.
Iran is in conflict with western countries over its nuclear activities, which the U.S. and its allies accuse of being a cover for the development of atomic weapons. Iran rejects the charge and says it needs the technology to generate electricity and for other civilian purposes such as medical research.
Uranium enrichment is at the center of world powers’ concern with Iran’s nuclear program. The material can fuel a reactor or, enriched to higher degrees, form the core of a bomb.
Russian Pledge
Iran inaugurated its first nuclear-power plant in the southern province of Bushehr on Aug. 21. Russia, which built the plant, has pledged to supply Iran with the fuel for the reactor.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-31/iran-to-produce-medical-reactor-fuel-within-year-atomic-agency-chief-says.html
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