Iran

Document for modernization of Arak reactor robust: AEOI

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The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the Islamic Republic has struck “a robust” deal with the P5+1 group of countries on the modernization of the Arak reactor.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the AEOI, said on Saturday that the document, which gained the final approval of parties to the July 14 agreement between Iran and the P5+1 – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – on November 18, will remove any concerns regarding the redesigning of the reactor.

Based on the agreement between Tehran and the P5+1, “Iran will redesign and rebuild a modernized 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 official document for the redesign of the Arak reactor is “very good and robust,” he said, “and prepares the ground (for Iran) to begin the redesigning and modernization process … without any concern.”

He added that the process for the initial change in the design of the reactor will take one year, and then a commission representing the P5+1 will have three months to approve the work.

According to the document, which was released earlier on Saturday by Iran’s official IRNA agency, Tehran will assume the position of project manager. China will also participate in the redesigning and construction of the modernized reactor.

According to the document, the United States will provide technical support and will review the reactor’s modernized design.

France, Britain and Germany will also participate in the review. Russia, a major broker of the July 14 deal, will provide consultation in the process.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said by the finalization of the document the political disputes existing over the Arak reactor have completely been resolved. He said technical negotiations will continue between experts from the AEOI and the P5+1.

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