US House Bans Heavy Water Purchase from Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to bar the US government from future purchases of heavy water from Iran, undercutting the July 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran and earning a certain veto threat on a key government funding bill.
The House attached the prohibition to an essential funding bill for the U.S. Energy Department with a 251-168 vote, according to RFE.
A similar amendment was blocked by Democrats in the Senate last month shortly after the Obama administration completed an $8.6 million deal to buy 32 tons of heavy water from Iran. The White House threatened to veto the Senate measure.
The House amendment wouldn't reverse last month's purchase, but it would stop future purchases. However, there are no plans for further US purchases of heavy water.
The heavy-water sales help Iran carry out its obligations under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran has also sold heavy water to Russia.
Under the deal, which Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) finalized in June 2015 and implemented in January, Iran uses heavy water in its modified Arak nuclear reactor, but must sell any excess supply of both heavy water and enriched uranium on the international market.
