Iran moved a step closer to relief from oil and banking sanctions when President Vladimir Putin decreed Russia is ready to import enriched-uranium stockpiles, allowing an agreement with world powers to take effect. Russia is willing to take any low-enriched uranium over 300 kilograms (660 pounds) in exchange for natural-uranium ore, the Kremlin said today on its website. At current stockpile levels, that amounts to about 8,000 kilograms, with a value of almost $635,000, according to the most recent spot price published by UX Consulting. The July 14 deal with world powers requires Iran to reduce its uranium stockpile by more than 96 percent. Last week, International Atomic Energy Agency officials reported Iran had accelerated compliance with other parts of the agreement, including a reduction in installed enrichment technology. Once IAEA monitors have verified that Iran has met its commitments, oil and banking sanctions that have dragged on the […]