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Question: What are the prospects of signing a Russian-Iranian agreement on the return of spent nuclear fuel? How is this problem tied to the IAEA decisions on the Iranian nuclear program?

Answer: A protocol on the return to Russia of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the nuclear power plant at Busherh is practically ready. Basic matters are solved. Commercial details of that return are now being additionally agreed on. We expect that the protocol will be signed very soon.

Our cooperation with Iran in building the nuclear power plant at Busherh is completely transparent and is being effected under the control of the IAEA and in full accordance with the obligations of Russia and Iran under the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This cooperation, including conclusion of a protocol on the return of SNF, cannot be regarded in the direct context of the outstanding questions that exist with regard to the Iranian nuclear program.

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