Location: Jabr Ibn Hayan Multipurpose Laboratory (JHL)
Subordinate to: AEOI
Size: Laboratory scale
Primary Function: Research in conversion processes

Description:

The JHL appears to have at least a laboratory-scale capability to convert uranium. In a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Iranian authorities confirmed that in 1991, the facility had received natural uranium that was not previously reported.

Iran stated that in 1991, they received 1000kg of UF6, 400kg of UF4, and 400kg of UO2. This material was being held (and likely remains) at the JHL. Iran further stated that some of the imported UO2 was used to test uranium purification and conversion processes. According to a June 2003 IAEA report, "The experiments involved the dissolution of UO2 nitric acid, and the use of resulting uranyl nitrate for testing a pulse column and ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) production processes envisioned for the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF)...." In 2000, Iran converted almost all of the UF4 that it had obtained in 1991 to uranium metal. Subsequently, Iran stored the conversion equipment at that facility and began refurbishing it to create a (dedicated) metal reprocessing laboratory. The IAEA reported in June that the role of uranium metal in Iran still needs to be understood since Iran's declared fuel cycle, light water reactors, and planned heavy water reactor do not require uranium metal for fuel.

	Updated January 2006