US, China to Chair Working Group on Iran's Arak Nuclear Reactor Project

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States and China will co-chair a working group on a project under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at reconfiguring Iran’s Arak heavy-water nuclear reactor, US Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner stated in a release on Monday.

On Sunday, the JCPOA participants concluded an official document outlining the expected roles of all the parties in transforming the Arak Reactor. The United States committed to providing technical support and reviewing the modernized reactor design, while China will participate the reactor’s redesign and construction.

"In addition, the United States will co-chair with China a Working Group on the Arak project," Toner said.

In July, the P5+1 group of countries comprising the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom plus Germany reached a deal with Iran to ensure the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for economic and military sanctions relief.

Under the deal, Tehran agreed to reduce its stock of enriched uranium, decrease the number of centrifuges, reconfigure the heavy-water reactor at Arak, as well as refrain from any uranium enrichment at the Fordow nuclear fuel facility.