Israeli official says deal will legitimatize Iran uranium enrichment

Washington, 23 October (WashingtonTV)—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday that Iran must halt all its uranium enrichment activities.

Barak’s remarks were the first by a senior Israeli official on a UN proposal, under which Iran would send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing, for use in a research reactor in Tehran.

“This agreement, if it is signed, will set Iran’s accumulation of enriched material back by about year. However, if they don’t stop enrichment, then the only result will be that Iran has gained the legitimacy to enrich uranium on its soil for civilian purposes,” Barak said, according to the Jerusalem Post.

“What is required is a halt to enrichment in Iran, not just an export of the enriched material to build fuel rods,” he added, during a conference hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres.

On Friday, France, Russia and the United States approved the draft agreement presented by International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] chief, Mohamed ElBaradei.

The deal is seen as a confidence-building measure in easing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Barak said that what was need was a complete halt to uranium enrichment in Iran, “a short and limited” time for engagement with Tehran, tough sanctions against Iran, and keeping all options on the table, reports the Jerusalem Post.

Source: Jerusalem Post

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