Likhachev declared Russia's readiness to accept uranium from Iran at any moment

Russia is ready to deal with Iran's enriched uranium in any format. This was announced on May 20 by the head of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, answering a question from Izvestia correspondent Viktor Sineok.

"We must understand that the volume of slightly more than 400 kg of enriched uranium at the level of 60% enrichment is a meager amount in terms of technological turnover, and, of course, we can easily deal with it in any format," he said.

Likhachev noted that the volume of enriched uranium is small, which makes it easy for Russia to "deal" with it. Russia is also able to buy this amount of uranium or replace it with supplies of natural uranium, as well as lower-enriched uranium. At the same time, Likhachev does not see a solution in the bilateral talks between Iran and the United States. According to him, a third player is needed — Rosatom.

"Rather, the topic of this highly enriched uranium has become such a political issue, it seems to me, a bit of a fetish, if you will, which needs to be resolved demonstratively. But that's the subtlety of all diplomatic relations and negotiations, that this is the art of compromise, not the art of pressure," he said.

At the same time, regarding the energy agreements with China, the head of Rosatom stressed that the joint creation of the "nuclear energy of tomorrow" continues.

"I think the Chinese will surpass the number of installed nuclear gigawatts within five to seven years, which means there will be a huge need for fuel. And in this case, Russia is ready to propose a solution that our Chinese friends will undoubtedly be satisfied with and, in a sense, protect them from the risks of uranium deficiency," Likhachev concluded.

Just to warm up: The United States wanted to ban Iran from enriching uranium

Washington intends to include additional conditions in the nuclear deal with Tehran

Al Hadath TV channel said on May 18 that Iran had expressed its readiness to transfer 400 kg of enriched uranium to Russia, not the United States. It was noted that the Iranian side also agreed to a long-term nuclear freeze instead of complete dismantling, subject to the transfer of highly enriched uranium.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on May 15 that Tehran would hold additional consultations with Moscow on the fate of Iran's enriched uranium when the United States and the Islamic Republic return to discussing this issue. He explained that the issue of the fate of uranium is very complicated, and negotiations on it have almost reached an impasse, including due to distrust between Tehran and Washington.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump said that the United States was ready to conclude a peace agreement with Iran, provided that Tehran stopped enriching uranium for 20 years and provided guarantees.