Iran on 9 April announced 83 nuclear-related achievements during a ceremony marking the 12th National Nuclear Technology Day. President Hassan Rouhani unveiled five domestic nuclear achievements via a video conference, five were unveiled at the main hall of Iran International Conference Centre, and 74 others were displayed as a side exhibit. The five achievements announced by President Rouhani included:
- Transfer of the first cargo of yellowcake produced from Saghand uranium mine at Ardakan Factory in Yazd to Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) at Isfahan;
- Operation of a blending processing unit at Shahid Ahmadi Roshan Enrichment Facility in Natanz;
- Design, construction, and operation of the National Centre for Research and Development of Sciences and Materials Engineering at Shahid Alimohammadi located in Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant;
- Design and construction of the first linear particle accelerator in cooperation with Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM); and
- Operation of fuel test loops at Tehran Research Reactor.
The side exhibit included the latest advances made by researchers at the National Centre of Laser Science and Technology in applying laser in health and industry. Ali Asghar Zarean, who is an adviser to Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran head Ali Akbar Salehi, noted that this year's achievements are related to centrifuges, isolation of stable isotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, water, health, treatment and power plants.
Salehi also warned that Tehran will need only four days to increase enrichment of uranium to 20% at the Fordow plant if the US withdraws from the nuclear deal, Iranian media reported. He stressed the reversibility of Iran's obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), adding that “during all negotiations on nuclear issues, we always had in mind that if the other party violates a transaction, we will consider necessary preparations to reverse the measures taken in the framework of the JCPOA”. He added that such preparations have already been made."We hope that this will not be necessary, but if necessary, it will be a scientific challenge," Salehi added.
