TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s nuclear chief says scientists have delivered the first domestically produced raw uranium to a facility that starts the process of nuclear fuel production.
The step displays Iran’s determination to become nuclear self-sufficient, including by enriching uranium, just a day before world powers meet with Iranian officials in another attempt to persuade them to give up the technology.
Enrichment worries the U.S. and some of its allies because it can also be used in weapons production. Iran insists its nuclear aims are solely peaceful.
Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi says the uranium ore concentrate was produced at the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran and delivered to the Isfahan uranium conversion facility.
Salehi said Sunday the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency will supervise the work.
