MOSCOW, July 25. /TASS/. Iran may conclude a deal with Russia on the sale of excess heavy water in the near future, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi is quoted by the IRNA news agency as saying on Saturday.
"Steps are to be finalized for the sale of 40 tons of heavy water to Russia and the deal will be signed in the very near future, Salehi said.
According to previous reports, Russia was ready to discuss with Iran the purchase of excess heavy water and enriched uranium.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said previously after a meeting of the Joint Commission for the fulfilment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran may sell to Russia some 40 tons of heavy water. According to him, the Iranian side is in negotiations with Russia on the sale of 40 tons of heavy water, but there are also other buyers.
According to Araghchi, Tehran has recently closed a deal on the sale of 32 tons of heavy water to the United States. "The deal has been finalized, the money has already been transferred to the accounts of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization," he said.
In January, Iran removed the core of its Arak heavy water nuclear reactor and filled it with cement as required under a nuclear deal reached between Iran and six world powers. The United States, Russia and China have agreed to participate in the redesign and the construction of a modernized reactor.
JCPOA on Iran’s nuclear program was agreed a year ago - on July 14, 2015. By January 16, the sides completed all the necessary steps and the document entered into force.
JCPOA stipulates, in particular, that Iran can store in its territory no more than 300 kg of uranium enriched to 3.67% and no more than 130 tons of heavy water, which can only be used for the needs of the Arak reactor, which should also be redesigned under the deal terms.
According to JCPOA, Tehran destroyed the old core of the Arak reactor, and the parameters of the facility’s reconstruction will be worked out jointly with China and the United States. The reactor capacity should not exceed 20 megawatts.
In addition, the July 2015 JCPOA states that no enrichment will be permitted at Iran’s Fordo enrichment facility for 15 years. The facility will instead be converted into a nuclear, physics and technology center. The 1,044 centrifuges allowed to be installed at the site will produce radioisotopes for use in medicine, agriculture, industry and science.