Iran to ship uranium to Turkey in nuclear swap
Ahmadinejad: Following the signing of the nuclear fuel swap deal, it is time for world powers to enter talks with Iran based on honesty, justice and mutual respect.
By News Agencies Tags: Brazil Iran nuclear Israel newsIran, Brazil and Turkey signed an agreement on Monday over a nuclear fuel swap designed to allay international concern over the Islamic Republic's atomic ambitions and avert fresh sanctions on Tehran.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attend an official meeting in Tehran with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on May 16, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
Iran said it had agreed to swap 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium for higher-enriched nuclear fuel, to be used in a medical research reactor. The exchange would take place in Turkey, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
Iran, which rejects Western accusations it is seeking to develop nuclear bombs, had earlier insisted such a swap must take place on its territory.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on six world powers, which have been discussing further UN sanctions on the major oil producer, for fresh talks on Iran's nuclear program after the fuel exchange agreement.
"Following the signing of the nuclear fuel swap deal, it is time for 5+1 countries to enter talks with Iran based on honesty, justice and mutual respect," Ahmadinejad said, referring to the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany.
There was no immediate comment from Washington, which has been leading a Western push to impose additional punitive measures on Tehran.
Turkey and Brazil, both non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, had offered to mediate to find a resolution to the impasse. It was seen as the last chance to avoid a fourth round of UN sanctions.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan discussed the deal with Ahmadinejad in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
"The swap will take place in Turkey," Mehmanparast told reporters, shortly before the agreement was signed by ministers in front of reporters.
Mehmanparast said Iran would send low-enriched uranium to Turkey within a month and that it would be under the supervision of the UN nuclear agency, state Press TV reported.
Major world powers had urged Iran to accept a months-old International Atomic Energy Agency plan to ship 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) of its low-enriched uranium - enough for a single bomb if purified to a high enough level - abroad for transformation into fuel for a medical research reactor.
The proposal, backed by the United States, Russia and France, was aimed at giving time for diplomatic talks with Iran.
Tehran agreed in principle to the deal in October but then demanded changes such as a simultaneous swap on Iranian soil, conditions other parties in the deal said were unacceptable.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Turkey would be obliged to return Iran's LEU "immediately and unconditionally" if Monday's agreement between Iran, Brazil and Turkey was not implemented.
"Based on the agreement signed this morning, if the swap does not take place, then Turkey will be obliged to send back our dispatched uranium immediately and unconditionally," Mottaki said.
Trita Parsi, director of Washington-based National Iranian American Council, said a potential breakthrough had been made in the long-running dispute, saying Turkey and Brazil had succeeded in filling a "trust gap".
"But will the deal be satisfactory to the U.S.? With the details remaining unknown, it's impossible to speculate," Parsi said in an e-mail comment.
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The + 20 percent turkey enriched fuel and then further enrich it? What guarantees ensure that Iranian centrifuges, that were recently upgraded, are dormant? We don't want a deal that isactually a sham this deal will determine where turkey stands, ataturks is dead hopefully his dream for turkey isn't
Some people might be applauding. But the world might also be standing at the brink of a devastating war, concocted by the three snakes. At least one of them is looking for a confrontation.. Those who have the power in their hands, Take Heed !
Is Lula part of the Lebanese Brazilian diaspora that is very influential in Brazil? Everything is ethnic and political. Report on Lula's background please.....this is profoundly politically correct and crucial to know and understand. Thanks.
That's too many times. She doesn't have a feeling of situations. She should resign nicely.
why does it matter who enriches the fuel? in the end it will all be used for the same purpose.
Israel, I am Brazilian, Lula does not represent anything in the view of Brazil in the affairs of the Middle East, Lula represents the Left Bank and sponsor international terrorism like the FARC (Colombia) and is a partner of everything that sucks in the world: Muammar Gaddafi, Hugo Chavez, North Korea, Fidel Castro, Hamas, do not trust anything that Lula, Lula and his party the PT in Brazil are a criminal organization with the sole purpose of sponsoring Communism. Issues involved in israel, Lula and Hitler are the same.
The goal of Lula and the "Foro de São Paulo" is to blow Israel, Israelis you do not trust Lula, I am Brazilian and Brazil became a haven for bandits and the FARC, drug trafficking dominates Brazil and Lula's agenda is the agenda Left World, destroying Israel, Israelis agree
As proven many times, war is not the answer for everything. So why not walk the diplomatic road? Iran has the right to develop nuclear technology for civilian purposes. Congratz to Turkey and Brasil for pulling this off.
Lula went to teheran to teach ahmadinejad: "lie, lie, lie again, believe in your lie, so will others... we help you do what North Korea did, what we do in Brazil and everything will be fine. Your advantage is you can kill and imprision freely at home, you are a dictatorship, so things will be easier..." Lies become true if you insist, this is very dangerous!
Their (Israel/USA) goal is to attack Iran or make a regime change. Now they have look for another excuse...
So now the nuclear fuel is going to go from the wold to the fox. Today's Turkey cannot be trusted as it is fast becoming another Islamic state very much in cahoots with Iran and Syria.
If this deal is accepted by all parties and implemented properly, this is great news for Israel. An end to fear of an imminent Iranian nuclear bomb. Hopefully an end to the Israeli hawks wanting to bomb Iran. In return, Iran would not have a need to retaliate with dozens of shihab missiles onto Israel. All together, this makes Israel safer in more way than 1. Thanks Brazil and Turkey!
Seriously you guys! How inhumane can you get? A peaceful deal is about to be made and all you guys can say is, stuff that, let's bomb them, I'm dissapointed. As an Iranian, I can honestly say that Israel is the only reason why I can't stand Israel, it has nothing to do with my own corrupted and terrorist government. You preach about being diplomatic and peace loving, but evidently not.
Who knows.... maybe the Iranian Admin has finally been intimidated by calls for sanctions. Its easy to say that someone should show Iran whos the boss, but Iranian Military is very strong and more than half of its equipement is now up-to-date. But I would like to see who wins the battle between Iran and Israel.
is the only way to stop them...
Iran seems to be playing chess while Israel and the US only know the rules for checkers...
Finally. A breakthrough. Congrats to the three partied involved. Now that Bibi has one less distraction he can concentrate on restoring dignity and basic humanity to the people 'outside of' Israel's legal and internationally accepted borders by ending the occupation of their land.
Well, it doesn't. I have no confidence in Tehran's choice for exchanging nuclear material. Do you?
I guess this puts the kabosh on Israels plans to get the USA to attack.
Eternal iran Eternal islamic republic iraaaaaan we can....
Turkey's new foreign policy of 'Zero Problem With Neighbors' starts to give its fruits. World diplomacy is shifting from superpowers to regional powers day by day after US' and EU's fail at resolving the problems. I expect Turkey, Brazil and other regional powers to be more active in the near future.
I do not think any of the three nations should be involved in this. Turkey is suspect as it is a Muslim nation with recent anti-Israel leanings and the current Left wing leader of Brazil is openly anti-Israel as well, and well Iran is a sworn enemy so how about Iran has nothing to do with nuclear material at all just to be on the safe side.
If it's real and it works, what's to object to? Not reason for a war. That's good news. Still have seen no evidence that Iran is really working on nuclear weapons. Netanyahu's paranoia notwithstanding, no war is warranted.
They, and America, have just lost the reason for their next war. What will they fabricate next?
When the accord of swap was signed for the first time in Vienna Israel was revolted"the war was so closed how these people,the Iranians diplomats could spoil a fierce propaganda of years?After Iranian Parliament disagreed with role of France in the deal,new hopes flourish for Israel:nevertheless we can push the Americans and their allies to hit Iran or how how channel 10 military corespondent Alon Ben David said:"what could be better than others doing your work".I'm sure we will hear in Israel about the accord and about the "existential Threat"which is now more concrete than never in the Jewish history.Wiessel and Bernard Levy will lead the protest against "this Munich accord".
very smart move by turkey iran brazil
Im sure this is the worst news Israel could get
"after the possibility of using Turkey as a location for the fuel swap was included in a draft agreement," That is telling you that BRAZIL has turned up in Tehran armed with the authority to amend the original P5+1 offer. Consider for a moment who is the only person who is in a position to give BRAZIL that authority.....There is very much more here than meets the eye.....
Turkey has certainly avoided a disaster for the region, for the approximately 25 million Turks living in Iran, and the Iranian population and Muslims around the world at large. This also is helpful for Israel as Israel's security concerns are taken care of. It is a win-win. Unless you are a crazy neo-con who wants to destroy Iran this is great news. As a secular Turk I am proud of my government. Great job PM Erdogan and FM Davutoglu.
As a Brazilian I gotta say that I had huge expectations on Lula to deal with this whole thing. But right now, Im very disappointed and at the same time a bit scared with this whole thing. I didnt expect negotiations to be led through this path. Who is able to halt this process? Is the US able to put an end in this? I believe not...
is limited to kidnapping American children with Jewish fathers.
I am glad to see this! Lula is the most popular leader in the world for a reason.
This is unexpected. Let's see how well it works.
Israel is free from more war . Israel must trust Brazil´s frienship in ensuring a break-through which ensures the Iranian nuclear program remains for peaceful purposes . Iran and Israel have ZERO to gain with more death . NO to WAR, no to escalation . Love from Brazil to all the Middle east . Shalom, salam, paz !
I do not hear the ADL labeling Israelis as racists and fascists when they discriminate against Arab MKs in the knesset. Although Pat is a bigot, Foxman is worst.
Brazil answers to no one and the U.S. can't stand it becuase they answer only to their handlers at AIPAC. Brazil's econmy is growing all the while The U.S. is down and out.
Turkey has once again shown that it has the power to act independently and achieve diplomatic results in the region. It has once again shown that nothing can happen without it's approval in the Middle East. It has shown that it is an indispensable ally of the west.
"the possibility of using Turkey as a location for the fuel swap was included in a draft agreement." Whaaaaat?!?! Is that draft agreement a modification of the UN-backed offer from the P5+1? Or is it strictly a draft of a bilateral agreement between Brazil and Iran? If it's the former then when - exactly - did the USA agree that the P5+1 offer could be "modified" in any way, shape or form?????
If I were a Brazilian Jew, I would be angry and worried
As a Brazilian I support my president. I remember all the lies told about Iraq.
as a brazilian am happy to see that,,, we are tired of americans,,, they gone,,, like Rome, Egipt, ,,,they gone ... Now its our turn,,, The new world called BRIC ( Brazil Russia India China ) whom needs a broken US? they are the real killers my friend,,,, come on Silva,,,,, we support you,,,,
The first three men in the boat are happy chappies. The odd one out, is seething for they were not invited to this trois menage. What is questionable, are the so called high returns on investment. Everything sounds far to glib. Then again, the master puppeteer returns once more with two brand new marionettes. Lets all sit back and watch this pan out into one horrific screaming match with accusations of two timing by all three participants. Oh, for the days of "Gunboat Diplomacy"! Brazil, no doubt will lose heavily. Whilst Pres. Lula woos the third world in his quest as a reasonable and responsible world leader that has amazing vision, far beyond the late Mr:Gandhi. Good night from icy Swiss Alps.
Be sure there is no point going to Tehran or anywhere else, someone needs to show their military power by destroying Iran's nuclear plants. I wonder who will be the brave one to do it....
how would you feel buddy.
This will only lead to end of world, At the the end oppressors.
of someone needing to destroy Israel's nuclear plants. And seeing as doing so won't damage any IAEA equipment, or endanger the lives of any IAEA inspectors, there could be a lot more support for that.
Well, that would leave out the Israelis.
The 'Brave' one you ask for may actualy result in more Israeli deaths than anything else. If Iran is bombed, Iran retaliates with Shihabs on Israel. They will not be nuclear armed, but what if they are filled with chemical. With such a heavy handed action as bombing Iran, who knows how they will react. More Israelis may die due to a so-called 'brave' country.
Let all countries exploit nuclear technology. In the case of Iran, they have WMDs yet they do not seem so mad , as some of you want us to belive, as to use those weapons on other countries. Thay have passed the test.
that Iran has nuclear weapons, although I agree that they do not seem mad. It is Israel and the US that are issuing threats.
You state that Iranians "do not seem so mad as to use those weapons on other countries" ...And how about Ahmadinejad's threat to wipe Israel off the map?
I completely disagree. As a Brazilian man, I am ashamed of my president. He could never trust on Iran Government, because they are ilegitimate, non democratic, enemies of truth and disrespectful of human rights.
Sorry but Iran and Iraq were not lobbing tomatoes ateach other in their war , it's a known fact that both countries used nerve gas as well as other harmless toxins killing millions between the two of them. They have failed miserably, that's why they can't have nukes.
disapointed with the brazilian presidente Mr Lula da Silva
Why are you disappointed? because Silva agreed to end this so called "Iran problem", would you like if he decalred more sanctions and wars against Iran? Is that better? Is this what the army culture taught you? That everything by force. Haaretz stop censoring.
Dear Ioran: Your president MUST LEARN with Mr. Lula how to achieve a path to peace. It´s simple: stop point weapons to anybody else. Got that? Just remember: here in Brazil, a so called 3 world country, palestinians, jews and arabs lives in PEACE. Come here and see with your eyes!
As a Brazilian I have to say, there are in my Country a lot of people (the majority of Braziilans) hating this idea of lula to gives support to his terrorist suporter and killer like ahmadinejah. I just have to say
I am also Brazilian and I'm sorry but you did not get the whole picture. It's true that most of Brazilians are AGAINST SUPPORTING Iran, but they are not against this move of Lula that is one last TRY TO GET A PEACEFUL AGREEMENT an.suuuuusssupport
As a brazilian , we are proud about lula. He disarmed the major terrorist state: USA
Cala a boca! Talk about yourselve Rafaela! 80% of Brazilians support Pres Lula!
Rafael my friend,,,, you had a brainwasher from america open your eye. bro. US can have nuclear weapon, we cant why not they are the only one that used it, whom is bad ?? down with american imperialism
Rafael. Our President can have misdeeds. but he does not endourse terrorism or dictatorships.The purpose of his visit to Iran is achieving Peace, that Israelian and Arabic peoples deserve so much. Salute from another Brazilian. "Um abraço". Luiz Felipe Haddad, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro.
Lula is a left wing radical whose only instinct is to get revenge on the USA/Europe. He suffers from an inferiority complex due to his dismal upbringing
It's a lie. The majority of brazilian citizens is glad with the outcome of those talks. Israeli politicians have to realize and to learn the virtue of conversation, which leads to mutual comprehension. The Zionist's neo-colonialist plans have suffered a major setback with this decision: America is not in charge of the last word concerning geopolitical matters. Brazil is proud of its genuine democratic politician called Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva! Congratulations to Iran, Turkey and Brazil!
The alternative tot he mediation is either Iran with a nuke or a war with huge consequences. Lula may have helped to avoid the horrible situation.
applies more toward Israel leaders. Ahmadinejad is a supporter of terrorism, but is not a one. On the other hand, some of the Israeli leaders have actually participated in violence and underground terrorist organizations. Untill today, they use terrorism to opress Palestinians.
You sound like you are Jews not Brazilian..hahahaha
If you want to charge every head of state with murder for every killing their army and secret police undertake, there is a long line of leaders you need to worry about before you get to Ahmadinajad. Including the leaders of Israel.
I am Brazlian and I must say that 99 % of Brazilian agree with Lula foreign policy.
I think that is hard to say that most of the brazilians have an opinion on this subject (while most people here support Lula). Lula is not supporting Ahmadinejah , he is following the brazilian principle to have relations with everybody, and trying to avoid another war.
We know that u are an israeli.....We hate when israelis is tyring to destroy our Good relaitionship with Iran! ´Brazil has no problem with Iran!
The likelihood of you living in Brazil is about the same as I live on the Temple Mount. How do you spell Hasbara?
But here there are only 4 posts ! Where did all the rest spring from ? Besides that,Rafael a Brazalian is quite right in his assessment.
Most Brazilians do not agree with you.