Russia took no direct part in the talks, but it proved decisive at the "oriental bazaar," a source in Russia's Foreign Ministry told Vremya Novostei. Iran requested guaranteed fuel supplies for its nuclear power plant. At first openly declared that it was prepared to revise its plans for creating a nuclear-fuel cycle on condition that it received guaranteed nuclear fuel supplies from Russia.
The "big three" guaranteed such supplies, following consultations with Moscow. "They wanted just one thing from us - guaranteed supplies of nuclear fuel for the Bushehr plant in Iran," the Russian source stressed.
This economic breakthrough is economically advantageous for Russia. "From now on we can easily cooperate with Iran without political complications in the construction of the generating unit in Bushehr and possibly in building other power generating facilities in the future," a source at the Russia's Atomic Energy Agency said. Fuel for the nuclear power plant under construction in Bushehr is ready for delivery, and supplies may start next year.
According to the source in the agency, the talks on a protocol and on the return of used nuclear fuel from the Bushehr plant have almost been completed. The protocol may be signed when Alexander Rumyantsev, Russia's atomic energy minister, visits Iran in December.
In late September, the IAEA Board of Governors issued a resolution that recommended Iran to suspend work on uranium enrichment by November 25. If Iran had refused to do so, the issue could have been submitted to the UN Security Council, which has the authority to impose sanctions.
