Iran needs enrichment capacity of 190,000 SWUs to fuel its nuclear reactors: Iran`s Salehi

TEHRAN,July 9(MNA) – Iran needs a uranium enrichment capacity of 190,000 SWUs (separative work units) to be able to fuel its existing nuclear reactors in a year, Atomic Energy Agency of Iran Director Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday. Salehi also said the number of centrifuges that Iran needs to produce fuel for its nuclear reactors depends on the type of the machines. If the capacity of the machines is three SWUs, Iran needs about 60,000 centrifuges in order to be able to fuel its nuclear reactors, and if the capacity of the machines is 10 SWUs, Iran needs 19,000 centrifuges, he said. The number of centrifuge machines that Iran would maintain under a comprehensive nuclear deal is one of the main sticking points in the ongoing talks between Iran and the major powers in Vienna, which is aimed at resolving the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. Commenting on the Vienna talks, Salehi said that there are still major differences between Iran and the major powers. The talks, which are being held in a serious atmosphere, are very intense and difficult, he said. Negotiators will not step back from nuclear rights Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also said on Tuesday that Iranian negotiators will not step back from the country’s nuclear rights. The senior nuclear negotiator also said that the Supreme Leader’s remarks saying that he trusts Iran’s nuclear negotiating team are a great encouragement for the negotiators.