“The Americans were saying explicitly that they would not allow Iran to have heavy water (reactor). They did not agree to even mention the name of Arak reactor in the Geneva deal… but in the JCPOA, they ultimately acknowledged the Arak heavy water (reactor should remain), and this is the US’s failure,” Araqchi said in an academic gathering in Tehran on Sunday.
Araqchi was a leading member of the Iranian team of negotiators in 22 months of nuclear talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) that resulted in a lasting agreement on July 14.
According to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), “Iran will redesign and rebuild a modernised heavy water research reactor in Arak, based on an agreed conceptual design, using fuel enriched up to 3.67 %, in a form of an international partnership which will certify the final design. The reactor will support peaceful nuclear research and radioisotope production for medical and industrial purposes.”