Ukraine Won’t Aid Iranian Nuke Deal

Responding to American and Israeli appeals, Ukraine has decided against providing turbines for the nuclear reactor that Russia is selling to Iran.

The decision is a victory for Western efforts to curtail nuclear cooperation with Iran. American officials said they hoped it would delay the Russian project but did not expect it to prevent the sale of the reactor.

At the heart of the issue is a Russian decision to sell a nuclear power reactor to Iran, a move that has long been a major irritant in American-Russian relations.

The cash-starved Russian nuclear establishment insists the reactor will be open to inspection and used for peaceful purposes.

But American and Israeli officials fear that the sale of the reactor will help Iran develop its nuclear expertise and aid Tehran’s drive to develop nuclear weapons.