Surprise! Iran finds unexpectedly high uranium reserve

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Ali Akbar Salehi
Ali Akbar Salehi

Iran has discovered an unexpectedly high reserve of uranium and will soon begin extracting the radioactive element at a new mine, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said on Saturday.

The comments cast doubt on previous assessments from some Western analysts who said the country had a low supply and would sooner or later would need to import uranium, the raw material needed for its nuclear program.

Any indication Iran could become more self-sufficient will be closely watched by world powers, which reached a landmark deal with Tehran in July over its program. They had feared the nuclear activities were aimed at acquiring the capability to produce atomic weapons – something denied by Tehran.

“I cannot announce (the level of) Iran’s uranium mine reserves. The important thing is that before aerial prospecting for uranium ores we were not too optimistic, but the new discoveries have made us confident about our reserves,” Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

Salehi said uranium exploration had covered almost two-thirds of Iran and would be complete in the next four years.

Uranium can be used for civilian power production and scientific purposes, but is also a key ingredient in nuclear weapons.

The July deal between Iran and world powers will lift international sanctions on Iran in exchange for at least a decade of curbs on the country’s nuclear activity.

After decades of efforts, Iran – which has consistently said its program is for peaceful purposes – has achieved a full nuclear fuel cycle, ranging from the extraction of uranium ore to enrichment and production of fuel rods for nuclear reactors.

Sanctions on companies taking part in Iran’s uranium mining industry will be lifted when the agreement is implemented.

Salehi said uranium extraction was set to begin at a new mine in the central province of Yazd, according to IRNA.

Some Western analysts have previously said that Iran was close to exhausting its supply of yellowcake – or raw uranium – and that mining it domestically was not cost-efficient.

A report published in 2013 by U.S. think-tanks Carnegie Endowment and the Federation of American Scientists said the scarcity and low quality of Iran’s uranium resources compelled it “to rely on external sources of natural and processed uranium”.

It added: “Despite the Iranian leadership’s assertions to the contrary, Iran’s estimated uranium endowments are nowhere near sufficient to supply its planned nuclear program.”

Iran has repeatedly denied overseas media reports that it has tried to import uranium from countries like Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe.

 

REUTERS

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5 responses to “Surprise! Iran finds unexpectedly high uranium reserve”

  1. Mekhhh Where are you you inferiority complex???
    The Arab countries should start a nuke program. Even the playing field.

    1. Patience2 Avatar

      Why should the Arab countries exert themselves when Israel would probably be happy to help them out?

  2. Yawn, this is typical calculated message from Mullahs. Goes hand in hand with coming announcements of new super weapons and creative photoshop stealth fighter jets.

  3. TexasThicket Avatar
    TexasThicket

    Iran wants a bomb so badly, they should have one delivered free-of-charge, right on a particular building in Tehran, before they deliver one on a particular building D.C. or elsewhere. Everyone worries about Israel and ignores Venezuela. Iran is building infastructure in Venezeula. I’m sure it is’t for some benevolent purpose to benefit the citzens of Venezuela.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Big Business … for ALL. :-)))

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