The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi has said his country will deliver surplus heavy water to the United States if Washington makes full payment in advance.
“Following the seizure of Iran’s assets, I asked my AEOI colleagues to refrain from delivering the heavy water consignment … because it was probable that the US would confiscate the shipment and make no payment,” Salehi said on the side-lines of a ceremony held to sign a cooperation agreement between AEOI and the oil ministry.
The US Department of Energy signed an agreement with Iran on the purchase of 32 tons of heavy water that has already been used in one of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to assessments, the deal’s value will amount to some $8.6 million.
The United States Supreme Court in April authorized the confiscation of around $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets. The money will be used compensate the families of those killed in a 1983 bombing in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.
Tehran has denied any role in the attacks.
The money, which belongs to the Central Bank of Iran, had been blocked under US sanctions before the court ruling.
Salehi also announced that Iran was finalising a draft agreement to sell 40 tons of heavy water to Russia.