MP Criticizes UK Refusal to Sell Yellowcake to Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Rapporteur of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission criticized Britain’s move to back out of a deal on the sale of 900 tons of yellowcake (a type of uranium concentrate powder) to Ira, saying the commission is probing the issue.
Speaking to Tasnim, Hossein Naqavi Hosseini said the parliamentary commission is following up on the British move in the yellowcake contract, which he said violates the JCPOA.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), entitles Iran to purchase yellowcake from the world market, he added.
The lawmaker also slammed the British government for following the US policies in regard to the JCPOA.
Last week, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran had hammered out a contract with the Group 5+1 on the purchase of 900 tons of yellowcake, but Britain pulled out of the deal in the last moments.
During the meeting, held in Germany’s Frankfurt, and attended by former US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, the contract on the purchase of yellowcake was negotiated and signed, but unfortunately, Britain backed out of the deal, Salehi deplored.
Under the JCPOA, Tehran is allowed to use heavy water in its modified Arak nuclear reactor, but should sell any excess supply of both heavy water and enriched uranium on the international market.
The JCPOA also authorizes Iran to purchase natural uranium or yellowcake in return.
