The nuclear chief says Iran has no plan to launch its uranium enrichment machines that are installed but are not operational as the talks between Iran and the major powers on a final nuclear deal are underway.
"We have 20,000 centrifuges installed, of which 9,000 have not been fed with (uranium) gas, and as long as the (nuclear) negotiations are underway, we have no intention to launch new centrifuges," Ali Akbar Salehi, director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told reporters on Tuesday.
He also said Tehran has decided not to feed uranium gas into a series of advanced centrifuge machines it is developing, including IR8, IR6 and IR4, for the duration of the talks, IRNA reported.
He went on to say that Iran plans to produce nuclear fuel for its reactors on its soil, rejecting any proposal that envisages transfer of enriched uranium to other countries to be converted into nuclear fuel.
He pointed to his visit to Moscow last month and said Iran and Russia signed an agreement on the construction of two new nuclear power plants in Bushehr and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on production of nuclear fuel in Iran.
Deal Highly Likely
Commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), Salehi said it is more than likely that a comprehensive nuclear accord will be struck.
"If the other side has the (required) will, the likelihood of reaching an agreement is high. On our part, we completely have the will (to reach a deal)."
He said, "Despite the attempts to portray us as intransigent and (the party that is) opposed to negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran's engagement in the talks indicated the fact that we are for negotiations, and we showed flexibility as much as possible," adding, "The world's public opinion now has a clear understanding of the Islamic Republic of Iran's (approach) and all people know who is to blame if we cannot reach agreement."
He also said, "The other side has no option but to reach agreement. We seek a win-win agreement, and it is not the case that we want to obtain all concessions."
In conclusion, the nuclear chief said he does not want to go into the details of the talks, but said the gaps in negotiating positions on some key issues, including the uranium enrichment program, the Arak heavy water reactor and the Fordo enrichment facility, have narrowed down.
