Nuclear chief says ‘much demand’ for Iran’s heavy water across world

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has highlighted the Islamic Republic’s achievements in the nuclear industry in recent years, saying Iran’s heavy water is much sought-after across the world due to its high level of quality.

Mohammad Eslami made the remark on Thursday as he pointed to Iran’s progress in its nuclear industry over the years and censured “politicized” narratives about the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear program.

“Some countries are seeking to portray a horrific image of Iran's nuclear program in the world,” by politicizing the country’s peaceful nuclear industry and overlooking its technical format, Eslami said.

Eslami stressed that despite all such attempts, the AEOI pursues the policy of ‘open doors, open innovation’ and has put it as the “main” goal of the organization.

“In a situation where we are under such political and psychological attack, we are witnessing the achievements of the country's youth, and now, with the efforts of [our] experts, we have transformed the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran from a research organization into an industrial complex,” Iran’s nuclear chief said.

Underlining that the AEOI is after a boom in “nuclear economy” both in terms of quality and quantity, Eslami said the organization has started working on the plan since 2022 and managed to register 159 knowledge-based achievements.

“As a case in point, there is a huge demand for the heavy water of Khandab nuclear center today, because by consuming it, they have realized its high quality and purity and are looking to buy Iranian heavy water,” Eslami said, referring to the nuclear research facility in Iran’s Markazi Province.

“Heavy water derivatives are very expensive and we are boosting investment on this chain, [expecting] a high added value,” he added.

Iran has made remarkable progress in the nuclear industry despite the Western threats and sanctions regime. Tehran has always reiterated that its nuclear program is only meant for peaceful purposes.

SS