Iran bought 300 tons of uranium from Niger to be used for its nuclear program in exchange of drones and surface-to-air missiles, London-based media Iran International reported. The news came in a long report earlier this month by Iranian-American reporter Banafsheh Zand, echoing an earlier report on Africa Intelligence that raised secret talks between Tehran and Niamey to acquire uranium. Niger military junta denied the transaction, reportedly worth $56 million, as Iran seeks the concentrated yellow uranium substance to speed up its nuclear weapons program. French Le Monde also confirmed the deal between Iran and Niger, noting the mine in Arlit where concentrated uranium is abundant is extracted by French company Orano. Meanwhile Niger tilts closer to Russia as does its neighbors.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 12, 2024 12:44 UTC