Iran fills Arak nuclear reactor core with concrete

Abiding by the nuclear deal signed with world powers in 2005, Iran has removed the core of its Arak nuclear reactor and has filled it with cement.

It was decided in the deal with the world powers that Iran will curb its ability of enriching plutonium and Tehran has abided by that according to Fars news agency. It is being reported that the removal of core from Arak nuclear reactor will now pave way for the relaxation of sanctions against Tehran in near future and the country will take sigh of relief.

Iran has been put under some heavy economic sanctions because of its nuclear program but promised to not turn its program for the manufacturing of weapons. And with Tehran abiding by the deal with the world powers, the country could soon see the sanctions against it lifted.

The EU foreign policy chief has already hinted that the sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union could soon be lifted. In an official visit to Prague, Federica Mogherini revealed that with Iran abiding by the rules and regulation, there would be no justification of keeping Iran under sanctions anymore.

“I can tell you that my expectation is that this day could come rather soon. The implementation of the agreements is proceeding well.”

Iran and six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), spent months deciding about the fate of this particular nuclear plant. In the end, Iran however gave up its stance and it was then decided that the reactor would be reconfigured so that it is unable to yield fissile plutonium which could be used in the production of a nuclear bomb. All of the countries in JCPOA namely China, the United States, France, Britain, Russia and Germany had agreed to help Iran redesign the reactor and modernize it so that it could only be used for peaceful purposes.

Iran has always stated that their plant is aimed at producing isotopes for cancer and other such medical related treatments. However, the rest of the world did not believe that a 40-megawatt plant, capable of producing nuclear bombs in a very short period of time, is only being used for medical purposes. And that is what pushed them to force Iran to redesign this plant. Iran on the other hand has always claimed that none of its nuclear activity is aimed at developing weapons.

This initiative by Tehran will be a relief for world powers. United States in particular would be relieved by the news. With Iran abiding by the nuclear deal on their behalf, it is now up to the other members of JCPOA to their part and lift the sanctions they have imposed on Iran. Lifting of sanctions would help Tehran to a great extent and the country would be able to deal with their economic dip in a better way. However, it is yet to be seen how United States and other react to this news in coming days.