Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi traveled to China to begin talks on China’s role in redesigning the Arak heavy water reactor.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.
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 JCPOA stipulates that, “Except for the first core load, all of the activities for redesigning and manufacturing of the fuel assemblies for the redesigned reactor will be carried out in Iran… This international partnership will include participating E3/EU+3 parties, Iran and such other countries as may be mutually determined.”
Speaking to Iran’s Khorasan daily on Wednesday, Salehi said he is going to “take the first steps” of the JCPOA plans for redesigning Arak heavy water reactor in his three-day trip to China.
Apart from the Arak reactor, Salehi added, talks will be also held with Chinese officials on manufacturing small reactors along Iran’s southern coasts for electricity generation and water desalination.