Iran Aims For Fierce Nuclear Market Rivalry

Iran said on Sunday that it has started marketing for its nuclear energy products including heavy water, stressing that it plans to make its products more competitive with international rivals. 

Ali-Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has been quoted by the domestic media as saying the removal of anti-Iran sanctions – specifically those that targeted the AEOI – has paved the way for cooperation of the Organization’s affiliates with international partners.

Salehi said he had informed the AEOI affiliates to promote their capabilities to match those of their global rivals.  They, he added, will soon move toward independence from the Organization to act as sovereign entities in overseas trade. 

The AEOI announced in mid-January that it plans to sell as much as 40 tons of its excess heavy water supplies to the US – a major step which is expected to take the country toward the commercialization of its nuclear energy program.

The Organization added that the sales will be made to the US through a third party, adding that the move would officially put Iran in the club of producers of strategic nuclear materials. 

“Six tons of the exported heavy water will be used in nuclear facilities and the rest in American research centers,” said Ali AsgharZarean, a top deputy head of the AEOI. 

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said last August that Iran will begin to commercialize its nuclear technology after the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“We will import yellow cake from abroad and we will export enriched UF6,” President Rouhani told reporters.

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries – the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany – agreed over the JCPOA last July.  Based on it, Iran will restrict certain aspects of its nuclear energy activities in return for the removal of certain economic sanctions imposed against the country.

The JCPOA also allows Iran to sell its enriched uranium material – called UF6 – and to buy natural uranium or “yellow cake” in return.

Speaker urges utilizing post – sanctions opportunities

On the other hand,  Speaker of Majlis (Parliament) Ali Larijanicalled for making due use of the open setting following implementation of the nuclear Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) saying Iran attained its objectives in return for few limitations which do not harm the country’s nuclear knowledge.

Speaking in a local conference titled Post-JCPOA Investment Opportunities here on Sunday, he also said that implementation of the nuclear deal was a significant achievement and that it was the right decision taken by the country.

‘Perhaps certain tactical moves were shifted back and forth,’ he added in response to some critics, ‘In a bid to increase production and export and attract investors, a section of the laws that have created impediments on the way of business have to be spotted and submitted to Majlis for passing better laws.’

Larijian said that domestic disputes will disappoint investors about Iran’s stability.

PRESS T.V, IRNA

R.S