Iran to load home-made nuclear fuel rods

Iran will load domestically made nuclear fuel rods into its Tehran Research Reactor on Wednesday for the first time to keep it running, a senior official told a national news agency, Reuters reported. Tehran already announced in January that it successfully manufactured and tested fuel rods for use in nuclear power plants, in order to show that the EU sanctions will not stop it making advances in nuclear know-how and to strengthen its hand in any renewed negotiations with six world powers. "The first home-made nuclear fuel roads will be loaded in the Tehran Nuclear Research Reactor in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad," Ali Baqeri, deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told student, news agency ISNA reported. The Tehran reactor produces radio-isotopes for use in medical treatments and agriculture. Iran said it was forced to make its own fuel for the Tehran reactor after failing to agree terms for a deal to obtain it from the West to replenish imported Argentinian stocks expected to run out in the near future. But many analysts doubted Iran would be able to convert its uranium into special reactor fuel. The West accused Iran of covertly trying to develop the means to produce nuclear bombs with its uranium enrichment programme. Iran, the world's number 5 crude oil exporter, says its nuclear facilities are part of a peaceful energy program and it would retaliate for any attack on them. The most recent talks between world powers and Iran failed in January 2011 because of Iran's refusal to suspend its sensitive uranium enrichment work, as demanded by several UN resolutions and major powers. But Iran says it is ready to hold fresh talks with no preconditions. "We will also send a reply to the EU's foreign policy chief (about nuclear talks) today," Baqeri said. Meanwhile, US defence secretary Leon Panetta said he does not think Israel has made a decision to launch a military strike on Iran to thwart its nuclear ambitions. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee today, Panetta was pressed on the growing possibility that Israel would attack Iran. Israel has blamed Iran for recent diplomatic attacks overseas; however Tehran has denied responsibility. Panetta said Iran was a great concern and the US has a common cause with Israel and the international community to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. He said the US and other nations have taken strong steps with sanctions and stressed the importance of keeping the international community together. Panetta said that, as President Barack Obama suggested, the administration does not think Israel has made a decision.