Iran eighth country possessing advanced nuclear technology

Deputy head of Iran' Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) for international affairs Mohammad Saeedi today said that Iran is one of the few countries possessing various nuclear industries and declared that it has developed a set of advanced nuclear industries.

Speaking to reporters about Iran's membership in the nuclear technology club and the states owning nuclear fuel cycle, the official said that the country's recent commissioning of 164 centrifuges is a great achievement.

"The uranium enrichment facilities in Isfahan are considered as one of the nuclear industries based on advanced technology and Iran's access to the relevant technology has made it as the eighth world country possessing the industry.

Saeedi pointed out that so far 110 tons of hexaflouride have been produced in Isfahan nuclear facilities.

"Meanwhile, only seven countries access the technology of heavy water nuclear installations. Given the recent establishment of the industry in Iran, it is now taken as the eighth country possessing it.

"A nuclear research reactor, which is currently being made in the central Iranian city of Arak will replace the current reactor in Tehran. It will operate with natural uranium fuel, which has been processed in Isfahan's uranium enrichment facilities," he added.

Saeedi said that 16 tons of heavy water will be annually produced by Arak research reactor.

The official said that the set of these industries is now complete, adding that many steps still remain to be taken and that it is necessary to get prepared for leaps in the relevant technology.

Meantime, Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh said here Tuesday Iran has produced uranium enriched to 3.5 percent in its Natanz facility thanks to the efforts of its young talented experts.

This has paved the way for the country to carry out uranium enrichment on industrial scale, he said in a report on Iran's nuclear activities.

Aqazadeh expressed hope that an uranium enrichment complex with a capacity of 3000 tons will come on stream by the end of the current Iranian year.