Uranium Import Contract Clarified

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran rejected as "incorrect" recent reports by sections of the British media over the role of Kazakhstan and the new US administration in the suspension of a contract to export uranium to Iran. Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Ali Akbar Salehi said the US government has already announced that it agrees to the contract, according to which Kazakhstan would export 950 tons of uranium to Iran. He rejected claims that Kazakhstan's national company, Kazatomprom, is opposed to the agreement. Salehi said Iran secured a contract with Kazakhstan in "accordance with agreements with the major powers party to the 2015 nuclear deal" on regulations to purchase uranium but the British government disrupted the progress of the contract "at the last moment".  The Britain-based New Europe newspaper, in a recent report, claimed Kazakhstan had suspended uranium exports to Iran because of the new US government's anti-Iran policies. The nuclear accord authorizes Iran to purchase natural uranium or yellowcake after obtaining the approval of the major powers.