U.S. State Department issued a statement on Monday welcoming the signing of a document on redesigning the Arak heavy water nuclear reactor.

“We welcome the release yesterday of the document outlining the expected roles by all of the participants to the JCPOA in regard to the redesign and reconstruction of Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor. Secretary Kerry signed the document, along with the other foreign ministers from the P5+1 and Iran, as well as the EU High Representative,” said the statement posted on the State Department website.

The statement described the document as “an important step towards operationalizing Iran's commitments under the JCPOA regarding the Arak reactor.”

The statement added, “In this document, the United States has committed to provide technical support and review of the modernized reactor design, as well as analysis of fuel design and safety standards—consistent with national laws—to ensure it addresses our proliferation concerns and conforms with the design set forth in the JCPOA. In addition, the United States will co-chair with China a Working Group on the Arak project.”

On Saturday, the Atomic Energy Agency Organization of Iran (AEOI) published the full text of the document on modernizing the heavy water reactor.

The reconfiguring of the reactor is part of the landmark nuclear deal signed between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) on July 14 in Vienna.

NA/P