Iran's atomic chief confirms transfer of enriched uranium to Russia

Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali-Akbar Salehi, on Tuesday confirmed the transfer of 11,000 kg of low-enriched uranium to Russia under the July nuclear agreement.

Pursuent to the nuclear deal, "some 11,000 kg of enriched uranium was exchanged with 197,000 kg of yellow cake," Salehi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

"We received the yellow cake first and then sent out the enriched uranium," and the exchange operation was completed in the past days, he said.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a ship carrying over 25,000 pounds low-enriched uranium materials departed from Iran for Russia, calling it "one of the most significant steps Iran has taken toward fulfilling its commitments."

The shipment included the removal of all of Iran's nuclear material enriched to 20 percent that was not already in the form of fabricated fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor, Kerry said.

Under the nuclear deal reached by Iran and world powers in July, Iran is required to ship out all except 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium.

"Thanks God, we implemented one of the major steps (as the sides' obligation under the nuclear deal) and we are currently busy with other small measures in this regard," Salehi said.

The Iranian atomic chief expressed the hope that the accord titled "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)" would be operational soon, to be followed by the lift of Western sanctions against his country.

The P5+1 group, namely the U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany, reached the comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran on July 14.

The JCPOA would provide sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its controversial nuclear program.

Implementation Day will come when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has completed its nuclear commitments under the deal. Endit