State Department details plan to modify Iran reactor under pact's terms

U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner issued a statement on Monday concerning work that will be done on Iran's Arak Nuclear Reactor as part of a recent international nuclear agreement.

Toner said a document has been released that details the roles that the signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will have in making the proposed modifications to the Arak Nuclear Reactor so that it can't be used to enrich plutonium at weaponized levels. The U.S. will be providing technical support and will act as a reviewing body over the reactor’s design aspects, as well as safety and fuel-design aspects. .

The document also includes finer technical details on the project. Secretary of State John Kerry, foreign ministers from the other signatory bodies and the European Union High Representative all have signed off on the modification plan.

Toner said the U.S. and China will co-chair the working group on the project and said the U.S. is committed to working with JCPOA signatories, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) responsible for ensuring that Iran meets its obligations.

The JCPOA is an international agreement that allows the Iranian government to develop a peaceful nuclear-energy program in exchange for lessening or eliminating economic sanctions on the country.