Russia: Iran mulling enrichment offer

MOSCOW, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Russia's nuclear energy chief said he will visit Iran and said Tehran was still considering a proposal for a joint venture on uranium enrichment.

"Russia's proposal on setting up a joint venture for uranium enrichment is on the negotiating table and Iranians are giving it a serious consideration," said Sergey Kiriyenko, head of Rosatom, the Russian atomic energy agency. "In accordance with the Russian proposal, Iran could become a co-founder of such a joint venture, but it will not have access to nuclear technologies."

Over the weekend, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear program. The West says the program is to make nuclear weapons, but Tehran says it is for energy purposes only.

The impasse and the reporting have led to a spike in oil prices.

Under the Russian proposal, the uranium will be enriched in Russia, which will keep the spent fuel that is used to make weapons. If it accepts the deal, Iran will be a co-founder of the joint venture, but will not have access to nuclear technologies.

Kiriyenko also said he will visit Tehran in late February and the construction site of the nuclear power station in Bushehr.

"Russia's position with regard to countries willing to get access to peaceful atomic energy use and to develop the construction of nuclear power stations and production of cheap electricity on their territory remains unchanged," he said.