Iran says it's still interested in Angarsk IUEC

According to Interfax, Iran's Vice-President for Atomic Energy Gholam Reza Aghazadeh said on January 25 that Tehran was still interested in participating in the International Uranium Enrichment Center in Angarsk, Russia, while continuing its indigenous enrichment program. Stated Aghazadeh, "[w]e have given an affirmative reply long ago...on condition that this cooperation will not create obstacles for us in achieving our aims."

Aghazadeh also reportedly said that Iran's indigenous efforts to enrich uranium were not "an impediment" to the country's participation in the IUEC. According to the NAS-RAS report, however, the Center's participants to date have pledged to forego development of indigenous enrichment capabilities.