In order to have such cycle for the production
of own fuel at least for the initial loading of a nuclear reactor "one
needs to have not some hundred-and-a-half centrifuges, but thousands of times
more," he noted.
For that, "respective technologies and a very costly set of equipment are
needed," Russian expert Mikhailov emphasized.
Russian experts believe "Iranian nuclear specialists can not produce fuel
for a nuclear power station at the present moment, nor can they make a nuclear
weapon".
Russian experts are downplaying Iran's "good news" to have joined the
world's nuclear technology club.
Iran's announcement that it had processed uranium is no cause for alarm, said
Viktor Mikhailov, former Russian minister of atomic energy.
"Largely a bluff," said Vladimir Yevseyev, a senior researcher at the
Moscow-based Center for Global Security.
"A fairy tale," declared Yevgeny Velikhov, a politically connected
nuclear scientist.
Russia's assessment matters because President Vladimir Putin's government has
positioned itself as in intermediary in the international standoff over Iran's
nuclear program. Russia has offered to supply Iran's civilian nuclear program
with nuclear fuel jointly processed in Russia, but so far, Iran has not accepted
the offer
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Iran's announcement would not bolster
its negotiating position with the West.
"A solution of the Iranian problem from the position of strength does not
exist. All European Union countries agree with this," Lavrov said. "If
there are any such plans after all, they will fail to produce a solution, but
will merely create a highly explosive situation in the Middle East."
Most, but not all, of the commentators consulted by the Moscow-based Russian
Profile Web site before Iran's announcement doubted that Russia's diplomatic
initiative toward Iran could succeed.
But Mikailov said he believes the issue can still be settled peacefully,
predicting "Iranian authorities will soon accept Russia's proposal to set
up a joint venture for uranium enrichment on Russian territory."
Lavrov emphasized Russia "would not make any conclusions in haste. Emotions
run high too often over the Iranian nuclear program."
