Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Visits China for Arak Reactor Redesign

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, traveled to China on Wednesday, September 4, to discuss the redesign of the Arak heavy water reactor and the purchase of small 'multifunctional' power plants with Chinese officials. Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, announced on July 24 the formation of a joint working group for the reconstruction and redesign of the Arak heavy water reactor based on the comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran, stating that the leadership of this group would be jointly held by China and the United States. According to the IRNA news agency, Salehi's visit to China, which will last three days, is for 'serious negotiations' regarding the redesign of the Arak reactor. Salehi noted that since the issue of the 'design' of the Arak reactor is also addressed in the JCPOA, and China has been introduced as the Iranian side by the 1+5 in this regard, it is necessary to have serious discussions with the Chinese side. He emphasized the presence of the U.S. in the working group for the redesign of the Arak reactor, stating that other members of the 1+5, and even non-member countries if accepted by Iran and the 1+5, such as South Korea, could participate in this project. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was agreed upon on July 23 in Vienna between Iran and six world powers, Iran agreed to redesign the Arak heavy water reactor and convert it into a light water reactor that would use nuclear fuel with a maximum enrichment of 3.67%. The agreement adds that 'except for the installation of the initial core, all activities for the redesign and construction of components related to the fuel section for the redesigned reactor will be carried out in Iran.' Salehi also mentioned in an interview with the Khorasan newspaper that his trip to China is to take 'the first steps' in the redesign of the Arak heavy water reactor within the framework of the JCPOA. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated on July 23 that Iran would remove the core from the Arak heavy water reactor and replace it with concrete. However, Salehi responded on August 21 that Kerry's statements were incorrect, asserting that if concrete were poured into the pit of the Arak heavy water reactor, there would essentially be 'no reactor left.' He added that 'what would be filled with concrete is not the reactor pit but could be the steel container inside it that will be removed from the reactor.' Salehi also mentioned that during his visit to China, he would discuss cooperation between the two countries regarding 100-megawatt 'multifunctional' power plants. He highlighted one of the notable features of these plants as 'electricity generation, industrial steam production, and desalination of saline waters,' expressing hope that they could sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in this area during the trip.