UN says Iran amassing heavy water in fresh breach of nuclear deal

The United Nations’ nuclear energy agency says Iran has violated another provision in its deal with world powers by stockpiling more than 130 tonnes of heavy water, according to Reuters.

“On 16 November 2019, Iran informed the Agency that its stock of heavy water had exceeded 130 metric tonnes,” the International Atomic Energy Agency says in a report obtained by the news agency.

“On 17 November 2019, the Agency verified that the Heavy Water Production Plant (HWPP) was in operation and that Iran’s stock of heavy water was 131.5 metric tonnes,” the report says.

In the wake of the unilateral US pullout from the nuclear deal, Iran in recent months has been violating the conditions of the pact by increasing its stockpiles of enriched uranium and increasing its enrichment capacity.