Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said there was satisfactory progress toward UO2 production at the facility. Salehi expressed gratitude for the hard work by Iranian nuclear industry personnel.

UO2, also known as urania, is a radioactive, crystalline powder that naturally occurs in the mineral uraninite, used in nuclear fuel rods in nuclear reactors.

Salehi also attended the inauguration of a major sports and cultural complex in a village near the Isfahan UCF, which was completed with the help of the AEOI.

The development comes a month after Salehi announced the takeover of Iran’s Russian-built Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) by Iranian technicians.

“During the temporary handover, Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant must operate for two years, or 7,000 hours,” said the AEOI chief on September 22, adding that the plant will be under Russian warranty during the period.

“After these two years, the power plant, which is already operated by Iranians, will be fully controlled by us,” he added.

He also stated that the construction of the second unit of the Bushehr NPP will begin in the near future.

SHI/SHI