Russia and Iran could sign an agreement on nuclear fuel supplies to Iran soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. According to him, the agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel to Russia is in its final stages. The deal would pave the way for the start-up of a Russian-built nuclear power plant at Bushehr in southern Iran in 2006, Europe/Liberty radio reported. The agreement was reached at Mr. Ivanov’s meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi.
Russia and Iran are also preparing a number of other joint projects, particularly on trade and economic issues. Mr. Lavrov also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to visit Iran, but the date of the visit has not been set yet.
Commenting on the resumed nuclear talks with Teheran, analysts say Moscow, which is losing its influence in Central Asia, is doing everything possible to retain its position in the region. Whoever wins the US presidential race, Iran will top Washington’s agenda in the Central Asian region. In view of this, Iran agreed to concessions regarding its nuclear projects.
Meanwhile, US presidential candidate John Kerry offered his program to settle the Iranian nuclear issue. He suggested supplying nuclear fuel for the nuclear power plant in Iran in return for Teheran’s dropping its plans to develop its own nuclear production facilities. Iranian authorities said they were ready to consider the offer, said Hussein Musavian, Chairman of the International Policy Committee of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He said Iran welcomed any constructive proposals from the American candidate. At the same time, he noted that Teheran had the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran should halt all its uranium enrichment programs by the IAEA meeting on November 25, 2004. If Iran fails to do so, the IAEA will ask the UN Security Council to consider the case.
Earlier, Iran said it had produced several tons of uranium concentrate, necessary for the enrichment of uranium, which in turn could be used for the production of nuclear weapons. Teheran says it developed its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
Russia and Iran could sign an agreement on nuclear fuel supplies to Iran soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. According to him, the agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel to Russia is in its final stages. The deal would pave the way for the start-up of a Russian-built nuclear power plant at Bushehr in southern Iran in 2006, Europe/Liberty radio reported. The agreement was reached at Mr. Ivanov’s meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi. 
