Iran wants to export nuclear technology

Iran has made significant advances in nuclear technology that have paved the way for possible exports, an Iranian atomic energy official said. Fereidoun Abbasi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said his country has made gains in nuclear energy that would make it possible to export technology. "We are in the process of decision-making and exploring ways to become more self-sufficient and to export nuclear equipment," he was quoted by the semiofficial Mehr News Agency as saying. The first unit at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of power, was connected to the grid in September. An agreement between Moscow and Tehran stipulates that Russia will operate and supply fuel for the Bushehr plant for an unspecified period of time. Tehran will eventually take control over the plant. Iran's nuclear ambitions are under international scrutiny. Tehran's adversaries suspect its nuclear program is a cover for a weapons program, though the Iranian government insists its intentions are peaceful. Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said last week that Iran wasn't providing the cooperation needed to ensure its nuclear program was peaceful. Rose Gottemoeller, U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control, said Wednesday that Washington believes Iran has a right to nuclear power "but only when it is in full and transparent compliance with its international nuclear obligations."