News   /   Economy

Rosatom eyeing Iran heavy water deal

Russia says its nuclear giant Rosatom is considering to purchase heavy water from Iran.

Russia announced on Monday that the country’s nuclear agency Rosatom is considering the possibility of buying heavy water from Iran. 

The announcement was made by Ambassador Vladimir Voronkov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna. 

“To date the Americans have bought a significant amount of it [heavy water]. Moreover, Rosatom is thinking and is likely to follow this path,” Voronkov has been quoted as saying by Russian media.   

A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicating Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a sign of the efficiency of the document agreed last year, Voronkov said.

He noted that the paper proves that Iran is successfully advancing on its implementation of the nuclear deal.

Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany – a group referred to as the P5+1 – signed the JCPOA agreement whereby Tehran agreed to restrict some aspects of its nuclear energy program in return for the removal of economic sanctions against the country.  

The JCPOA gives Iran the right to sell, dilute or dispose of the heavy water it has produced under certain conditions.

It also allows Iran to sell its enriched uranium material – called UF6 - and to buy natural uranium or “yellow cake” in return.

The announcement that Rosatom is interested in buying heavy water from Iran follows reports that the Congress has banned the US from further purchases.   

In early March, Iran announced that it had sold 32 tons of heavy water to the US in what was seen as a landmark progress in the commercialization of the country’s nuclear energy program. Officials in Tehran later said the sale had been carried out through a third party. 


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku