TEHRAN – Both Tehran and Washington have confirmed the completion of the heavy-water deal, under which Iran had sold 32 tons of heavy water for a price of $8.6 million.

“We sold 32 tons of heavy water to the U.S. and we were paid for that,” Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said late on Monday.

Under the JCPOA deal signed between Iran and six global powers, Tehran has agreed to export all its excess heavy water to the international market.

Arak reactor needs as much as 90 tons of heavy water for annual consumption.

According to Araqchi, Iran can store up to 130 tons of heavy water inside the country, some 30 tons more than its need for rainy days.

The shipment is the first technological material exported from Iran to the U.S., considered by Tehran to be an achievement.

“One of the most important achievements of the JCPOA was that we are now recognized as a seller of heavy water by America, which did not accept heavy water production by Iran,” Araghchi was quoted as saying.

The news was also confirmed by an American source.

Speaking to the Washington Free Bacon, a spokesperson with the U.S. Energy Department confirmed the purchase, saying, “I can confirm reports that the DOE Isotope Program has completed the acquisition of 32 metric tons of heavy water from Iran.”

“The heavy water deal was really concluded in April and it just took a few months to make all the necessary arrangements you would expect from such a deal,” said another U.S. unnamed official, the Washington Free Bacon reported.

In addition to the U.S., Iran has also been in talks with Moscow to sell 40 tons of heavy water, Araqchi said.

Details of the negotiations have not been disclosed yet.

If no international customer purchases Iran’s heavy water, then the excess will be stored in storage facilities in Oman, the top diplomat noted, citing previous agreements in this regard. 

AK/PA