Iran launches uranium yellowcake production

Iran has manufactured the first batch of uranium yellowcake, the raw material used for nuclear fuel production, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday.

He spoke at a ceremony to mark the shipment of the first batch to Isfahan's Uranium Conversion Facility, the Fars news agency reported.

Iran has so far produced about 35 kilograms of 20% enriched uranium, Salehi said.

He also said Tehran will inaugurate a new unit in the next three months to produce plate fuel for the country's nuclear research reactors that produce radioisotopes for medical uses.

"We will have the capability to produce plate fuel in the next year," Salehi said.