Iran removes core of Arak heavy water plant

Iran appears to be partially complying with the US-led nuclear deal after it apparently removed the core from the Arak heavy water plant and filled the area with concrete.

By: Atara Beck, World Israel News

Iran has reportedly taken out the core at its heavy water reactor in Arak, in compliance with the nuclear deal signed with six world powers, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported on Monday.

“The operation was accomplished today and the core has been filled with cement,” an Iranian official stated for Fars News.

This step by the Islamic Republic now requires the P5+1 Powers to initiate action to remove all sanctions against Tehran, the official claimed.

According to the source, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to confirm the operation in the next few days in a final report on Iran’s full compliance with its undertakings under the Vienna nuclear accord sealed in July.

“Following the IAEA approval, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini will issue a joint statement to declare that Iran has met its end of the bargain,” the source said, and added, “And then it will be the six world powers’ turn to comply with their undertaking and remove the sanctions.”

The removal of Arak’s core is part of the compliance with the deal, but the core is to be replaced with a new one in coming years that will produce a much smaller size of plutonium.