Iran Denies Any Action Against Nuclear Agreement

The spokesperson for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization implicitly confirmed the International Atomic Energy Agency's report regarding Iran's heavy water reserves, which are slightly above the limit set in the Vienna nuclear agreement, stating that this does not violate Iran's commitments under the agreement. Behrouz Kamalvandi emphasized in an interview with IRIB News Agency on Thursday evening, November 27, that the Islamic Republic has "fulfilled and adhered to" its commitments regarding heavy water reserves. He also stated in an interview with Young Journalists Club that, according to the Vienna nuclear agreement, increasing Iran's heavy water reserves is "not a problem" as long as it is being offered to international markets. The spokesperson stressed that if Iran's heavy water reserves were previously 130 tons and 900 kilograms and "are now slightly higher," as long as Iran is offering it for sale, "there is no problem and it is in accordance with the JCPOA text." According to Kamalvandi, a violation of the Vienna nuclear agreement occurs when Iran is unwilling to sell its excess heavy water, and "this has not happened so far." He announced that Iran has sold 70 tons of its heavy water so far under the Vienna nuclear agreement, and negotiations with other interested countries, especially European countries, are ongoing. The International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday, November 27, called on Iran to adhere to its commitments under the JCPOA and to avoid repeating violations of the established limits. According to the agency, this is the second time Iran has increased its stored heavy water reserves above the level stipulated in the JCPOA. Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the IAEA, stated last week at a meeting of the agency's Board of Governors that Iran's heavy water reserves are slightly above the virtual limit set in the Vienna nuclear agreement, but he also emphasized that Tehran intends to export some of these reserves to other countries. Under the agreement between Iran and six world powers, Iran is not allowed to have more than 130 tons of heavy water, which is used for the operation of reactors like Arak, which Iran has committed to rebuild. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated that Iran has previously sold 70 tons of heavy water in two large shipments, and the amount currently ready for sale is "not large shipments." He added, "That 70 tons was produced over several years, but from now on, we may have smaller shipments for sale." Besides Russia, the United States has also sought to purchase heavy water from Iran since the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement, and despite Congressional opposition to this matter, it was announced in late July that a transaction of 32 tons of heavy water between Iran and the U.S. took place at the Sohar port in Oman. Iran announced in May of this year that it has prepared a warehouse in Oman for the storage and sale of its excess heavy water and will transfer the amount exceeding the agreed 130 tons of heavy water to this country.