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The US quietly renewed waivers on April 1 covering Russia’s work with the plant as part of a 60-day renewed exemption package — a legacy of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as part of Russia’s commitments.
“As a result of the joint efforts of the OAEI, State Atomic Energy Corporation 'Rosatom' and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, another consignment of nuclear fuel was delivered to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP),” the embassy announced.
The memo said that Bushehr plant needed further fuel and this “is necessary for the further successful functioning of the reactor.”
Russia announced late in 2019 that it would halt co-operation with Iran at an underground nuclear development site called Fordo, sparking fears for the continued operation of Bushehr which powers cities in the south of Iran.
Its announcement came shortly after Iranian authorities said they were once again enriching uranium at Fordo in breach of the nuclear accord, signed with six world powers but unilaterally abandoned by the US in May 2018.
The Russians said their decision to exit the project was not directly related to Iran’s decision to restart enrichment.
"Uranium enrichment and the production of stable isotopes cannot be carried out in the same room," Rosatom nuclear fuel cycle unit TVEL said in a statement, adding that the implementation of the project was "technologically impossible" currently.
9.1.13 Defence sector news
US forces late on March 12 carried out air strikes in Iraq against what the Pentagon said were five weapons storage sites run by an Iranian-back militia that it claimed was behind a rocket attack which killed two American and one British soldier at a military camp near Baghdad.
Pentagon spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said the strikes were aimed at Kata’ib Hezbollah, a paramilitary group with strong ties with Tehran.
“This evening, the US conducted defensive precision strikes against Kata’ib Hezbollah facilities across Iraq. These strikes targeted five weapon storage facilities to significantly degrade their ability to conduct future attacks against the US and coalition forces,” Farah said.
“These strikes were defensive, proportional, and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases hosting ... coalition forces,” she added.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon earlier on March 12 that US President Donald Trump had authorised him to take whatever action he considered necessary.
“You don’t get to shoot at our bases and kill and wound Americans and get away with it,” he said.
9.2 Major corporate news 9.2.1Oil & gas corporate news
Iran installs final South Pars Phase 14 gas field production equipment
Iranian oil and gas firms have successfully installed the final equipment required for South Pars Phase 14 gas field production. The 2,400-tonne Platform 14D has been erected, according to oil ministry-owned energy news agency SHANA.
The entirety of South Pars in the Persian Gulf is thought to make up the largest gas field in the world. Shared by Iran and Qatar, its development, in Iranian
47 IRAN Country Report May 2020 www.intellinews.com
