Salehi: The Reconstruction Document for Arak Reactor is Being Drafted Between Iran and 1+5

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced the drafting of an 'official document' regarding the redesign of the Arak reactor and stated that after this document is signed by Iran and the 1+5 group, 'the core of the Arak reactor' will be removed at the directive of the Iranian president. According to the state news agency IRNA, Ali Akbar Salehi expressed hope on Tuesday, October 25, that this document would be signed 'soon' by Iran and the 1+5 group. Meanwhile, according to ISNA news agency, Mr. Salehi noted that the review of the 'official document' related to the Arak reactor is 'in its final stages' and expressed hope that 'within the next few days' the foreign ministers of Iran and the 1+5 group would sign this document. Representatives from Iran, the United States, and China had announced on October 18 that the renovation and redesign of the Arak reactor would be carried out 'under the management and leadership of Iran.' The heavy water facilities at Arak and the removal of its core have been the subject of much debate before and after the Vienna nuclear agreement. The West has demanded structural changes to these facilities, arguing that they could produce plutonium usable in nuclear weapons. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated in his letter to the Iranian president for the approval of the Vienna nuclear agreement that actions regarding the renovation of the Arak heavy water plant would 'only begin if a definitive and reliable contract regarding the alternative plan and sufficient guarantees for its implementation are concluded.' He also emphasized that 'the deal for existing enriched uranium in exchange for yellowcake with a foreign government would only begin if a reliable contract regarding this matter along with sufficient guarantees is concluded.' Mr. Khamenei set the condition that actions related to these two clauses 'would only begin when the agency announces the closure of the current and past issues (PMD).' Yukiya Amano, the director-general of the agency, is scheduled to present his final report on the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program (PMD) to the Board of Governors on December 15. The United States and the European Union took official steps on Sunday, October 18, regarding the lifting of sanctions if Iran fulfills its commitments under the JCPOA. Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, thanked the Supreme Leader for his letter approving the Vienna nuclear agreement, addressing the members of parliament, saying: 'From now on, we will all work together to implement the JCPOA in the best way possible to maximize benefits for the people, the Islamic resistance, and supporters of the Islamic Revolution.' Ali Akbar Velayati, the international advisor to the Supreme Leader, stated on Sunday, August 16, that Iran would have 'greater capacity' to support 'its friends in the region' after the Vienna nuclear agreement, and the 'axis of resistance' in the region would be strengthened. However, according to Alireza Zakani, head of the JCPOA commission, General Vahidi, representing the General Staff of the Armed Forces, presented an 'important confidential file' in the JCPOA commission and called the government's claims about the strengthening of 'Islamic awakening' after the Vienna nuclear agreement 'baseless.' Iran refers to groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Palestinian groups opposed to Middle East peace, as well as the Syrian government, as the 'resistance front' against Israel. '250 million euros' is the cost of purchasing equipment for Iran's nuclear hospital. On Tuesday, the memorandum of understanding for the construction of Iran's first nuclear hospital was signed by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Hassan Hashemi, Minister of Health, and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mayor of Tehran. Ali Akbar Salehi announced that approximately 250 million euros is needed to procure the necessary equipment for this hospital. According to Mr. Salehi, the required rial resources for this project are 'guaranteed,' and regarding the foreign currency resources needed, arrangements have been coordinated during Hassan Rouhani's trips, 'with some countries to finance this project, which, if realized, will expedite this project.' He expressed hope that this hospital would 'come to fruition' within the next four to five years and that individuals would be sent to the countries producing its advanced equipment for training in their use.