IAEA report confirms Iran’s shipping of excess heavy water

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran’s shipping of 11 tons of heavy water out of the country as part of its commitments to last year’s nuclear agreement.

According to a diplomat citing a confidential IAEA report, the transfer brings Iran’s stock of heavy water to below 130 metric tons which is in accordance with the nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of countries.

“On 6 December, the agency verified the quantity of 11 metric tons of the nuclear-grade heavy water at its destination outside Iran,” said the diplomat.

“This transfer of heavy water out of Iran brings Iran’s stock of heavy water to below 130 tons,” he added, noting that Iran had informed the agency that the shipment left the country on November 19.

On November 22, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced the country has transferred 11 tons of heavy water to Oman.

In a November report, the IAEA said Iran’s stocks of heavy water had slightly exceeded the 130-ton level set out in the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany in July 2015 and started implementing it in January 2016.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.