Atomic Energy Organization: Removal of Arak Reactor Core Not Yet Completed

Following a report by Fars News Agency regarding the 'removal' of the core of the Arak heavy water reactor and filling the site with concrete, the Atomic Energy Organization stated that some preliminary work has been done regarding Arak, but no action related to the removal of the reactor core has been completed. According to ISNA, in a statement on Tuesday, January 21, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said: 'According to the announcement of the Atomic Energy Organization, the organization must complete the agreed actions by the day of the implementation of the JCPOA, in accordance with the program and the contents of the letter from the Supreme Leader. In this regard, some preliminary work has begun, but no action in this regard (removal of the Arak reactor core) has been completed.' Earlier on Tuesday, Fars News Agency reported, citing 'an informed source,' that the core (calandria) of the Arak heavy water reactor had been 'removed' and the site had been 'filled' with concrete. According to this report, the International Atomic Energy Agency is set to publish a 'final confirmation report' regarding the commitments expected from Iran under the Vienna nuclear agreement this week. According to this 'informed source,' after that, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, and Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, will issue a joint statement announcing the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement. The Arak heavy water facility was a contentious issue between Iran and Western countries, but Iran agreed under the Vienna nuclear agreement to redesign the core of the Arak reactor so that it could not be used to produce plutonium, which is applicable for military uses and building nuclear bombs. According to this agreement, Iran will make technical changes to its fuel production lines in Arak with the help of the U.S. and China to be compatible with the new reactor. The P5+1 countries and Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, have agreed to participate in the modernization of this reactor by signing a document that specifies commitments for each of these countries. According to this document, China will be involved in the design and construction of the modernized reactor, while France will participate in areas such as receiving and managing spent fuel. Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, mentioned on Saturday, November 30, that the 'initial fuel' for this reactor will initially be imported and then produced in Iran. Under the Vienna nuclear agreement, Iran must also reduce its enriched uranium stockpile to about 300 kilograms and reduce its centrifuges to 5,060 units. In the early days of December, Tehran sent more than 11 tons of its enriched uranium to Russia and received over 200 tons of yellowcake in return. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have reported in recent months that the collection of centrifuges at Iran's nuclear facilities has begun. Iranian officials have expressed hope that the Vienna nuclear agreement will be implemented by the end of January. Meanwhile, Hamid Baidi-Nejad, the director general of political affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reported on Sunday, January 20, that there is 'understanding' with the P5+1 countries to 'resolve some of the remaining issues regarding the lifting of sanctions' and announced that the 'countdown' for the implementation day of the Vienna nuclear agreement has begun. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, also stated on January 7 that if things go well, there are only a few days left until the implementation of the JCPOA. Federica Mogherini also said on Tuesday that no specific timeline has been set for lifting Iran's sanctions, but this could happen soon.