Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP)

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear

Address: 

Isfahan, Iran

A facility used by Iran to convert uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into triuranium octoxide (U3O8, or "yellowcake") and to produce fuel plates containing U3O8 for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).

Established to take over some activities previously performed by the Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP) and the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF); reportedly housed within the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC).

Has produced uranium metal in violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA); in August 2021, had produced uranium metal enriched up to 20 percent purity using UF6 from the Natanz Enrichment Facility; between February and May 2021, converted natural uranium from the UCF into uranium metal, some of which was was used to produce uranium silicide fuel plates.

Between 2011 and 2015, conducted operations in contravention of U.N. Security Council resolutions obliging Iran to suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment; by November 2015, had converted enriched UF6 into U3O8 and produced fuel assemblies for the TRR.

In February 2014, supplied a fuel plate containing a mixture of aluminum and enriched U3O8 to the Molybdenum, Iodine, and Xenon Radioisotope Production Facility (MIX Facility); in 2013, produced an experimental fuel assembly, which was transferred to the TRR.

Began operations in 2011; declared to the IAEA in 2012.

Mentioned Suspect Entities & Suppliers: 

Date Entered: 

March 29, 2022

Date Last Modified: 

March 29, 2022