Iran says it disabled the Arak reactor, calls for removal of sanctions

An Iranian state media outlet is saying that Iran has filled the core of the Arak heavy water reactor with cement, a key demand of the nuclear deal signed last July with six world powers.

“Iran has taken out the heart of its Heavy Water Reactor in Arak in full compliance with its nuclear deal with the world powers that will now require the sextet to initiate action to remove all sanctions against Tehran, an informed source told FNA [the Fars News Agency] on Monday,” the agency reports.

The IAEA will have to confirm Iran has taken the step.

Fars quotes an Iranian source saying, “Following the IAEA approval, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini will issue a joint statement to declare that Iran has met its end of the bargain…. And then it will be the six world powers’ turn to comply with their undertaking and remove the sanctions.”