Diplomatic Sources: IAEA Confirms Iran's Heavy Water Export

Diplomatic sources reported on Tuesday, December 7, that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed in a report that Iran has sent 11 tons of heavy water abroad, reducing its stored heavy water inventory below the amount specified in the nuclear agreement with six world powers. According to Reuters, a diplomat stated that the IAEA's five-paragraph report confirmed the verification of the export of 11 tons of nuclear heavy water to a destination outside Iran. The diplomat also mentioned that with this transfer, Iran's reserves have now dropped below 130 tons. In this context, Agence France-Presse also reported, citing a diplomatic source, that the IAEA confirmed the export of Iran's surplus heavy water and announced that Iran's heavy water reserves have now returned to below the amount specified in the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, announced on November 30 that Tehran had sent some of its surplus heavy water for sale to Oman, and additional amounts would also be sent to that country for transfer to buyers. Kamalvandi stated that negotiations for the sale of surplus heavy water have made progress 'with several foreign companies and countries.' According to this Iranian official, the transfer of heavy water to Oman 'has a commercial aspect' and 'based on ongoing negotiations with foreign parties, these amounts will be transferred to Oman accordingly.' He did not specify the exact amount of heavy water transferred to Oman. The IAEA had requested on November 18 that Iran 'remain committed to its obligations under the JCPOA' and refrain from violating the established limits. According to this international body, Iran's stored heavy water inventory had exceeded the amount specified in the nuclear agreement for the second time. According to Agence France-Presse, under the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, the maximum amount of heavy water that Iran can store is 130 tons. Heavy water can be used in the production of plutonium, a material that facilitates the development of nuclear weapons.