Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) says that Iran will hold its first international nuclear energy conference in two months. “We are holding the first nuclear conference in the second Persian calendar month of Ordibehesht (20 April – 20 May),” Mohammad Eslami told reporters. “We have invited 130 of the world’s prominent nuclear researchers to the event, and more than 30% have announced their readiness to attend.”
In recent years, Iran has made significant progress in nuclear industry development despite being under Western sanctions since 1978. This includes the recent start of construction of both a large scale NPP and a research reactor. Eslami claims that Iran now ranks among the top five in nuclear industry development. He highlighted Iran’s achievements in its peaceful nuclear energy programme, including the production of high-quality heavy water.
“Today, we are at the top of the list in terms of the quality and purity of heavy water that is produced without foreign help on the back of research by the country’s scientists. We have been able to share in the supply and export of heavy water at the global market.” Heavy water is used as a moderator in pressurised heavy water reactors. Eslami noted that heavy water can also be used to produce microelectronics and some new medicines.
Image: Iran's heavy water reactor
