Azerbaijan, Baku, April 11 / Trend , D.Ibrahimova /
Iran can exaggerate the volume of the uranium ore which it has, and probably in the country there are not sufficient internal uranium reserves to insure the work of new centrifuges, and therefore, it will be necessary to import raw materials from other states, experts consider.
"We must remember that Iran has made somewhat exaggerated claims in the past about the degree of progress in its nuclear program ," the American expert on military affairs Ted Galen Carpenter told Trend .
During celebration of National Nuclear Day in Iran on April 9, the Iranian officials declared that they intend to provide fuel for not only Busher station, but also six new atomic power stations.
Despite the statements by Teheran, experts doubt that the uranium reserves in the country will suffice for six new nuclear stations.
The latest claims made by Iran may be exaggerated as it was in the past,, Carpenter, Vice President on Defense and Foreign Policy Studies at Cato Institute, told Trend via e-mail. There is almost no way to know exactly how much nuclear fuel Iran has amassed, or whether it would be sufficient to supply that many stations,- he said.
As an example for the statements of Iran that until recent period, it had 6,000 centrifuges, the experts of IAEA made a conclusion that not all centrifuges are in working condition.
Furthermore, several months ago the English newspaper Times reported that the uranium reserves in Iran will run low in the near future.
Iranian officials both in and out the country reacted to this estimation immediately. The representative of Iranian Foreign Ministry Hasan Gashgavi denied the information on shortage of uranium.
Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA Ali Askar Sultaniye also told that the uranium manufacturing plant in Isfahan continues its activity without problems. The Iranian yellow cake sources are successfully developed and if necessary, they will be used, he said, ISNA agency reported.
However, despite the statements by the Iranian officials, the experts in and out the country consider that Iran has small uranium reserves. "The uranium reserves, which are available in Iran now, were developed in the country in 70s of 20th century, and since then the uranium ore deposits have not been actively developed," Iranian expert on nuclear, Reza Taghizadeh, who works in Great Britain, told Trend in a telephone conversation.
He said that uranium development becomes complicated due to depth of uranium ores; the ore on one of the largest deposits of Iran is in the depth of 350-360 meters. Besides difficulties with development, Iran has not so many deposits, capable to provide energy for six new power stations.
There are 10 developed uranium ore deposits in territory of Iran, and they can ensure activity of 5,000 or 6,000 centrifuges. However, if the number of centrifuges increases, Teheran will be compelled to import yellow cake and uranium. However, according to the statements of Nuclear Agency of Iran, there are 400 uranium ore deposits in the country.
Uranium ore is cleaned up and formed in the firm product known as yellow cake. It is converted into gas by heating at approximately 64 degrees on Celsius. The gas is banished through centrifuges in which its isotopes are separated. The process repeats before uranium enrichment. Low-enriched uranium is used as nuclear fuel, and high-enriched uranium can be used nuclear warheads.
It is impossible to forget that if necessary to purchase uranium ore, Iran will face counteraction of Great Britain, Germany, France and other states which are afraid of creation of the Iranian nuclear weapons, experts consider.
But as though Tehran did not exaggerate its achievements in statements, Iran clearly has made some progress in terms of mastering the nuclear fuel cycle and overall nuclear technology, Carpenter considers.
Over the last several months, Iran launched the first satellite made in the country, and conducted test launching of Busher nuclear station. In addition, opening ceremony of fuel manufacturing plant took place on April 9, dated National Nuclear Day.
T.Jafarov contributed to the article.
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