TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iran, the US and China have set up a task force for modernization of a heavy water reactor that Tehran has undertaken to redesign under a July nuclear deal with world powers, Iran�s nuclear chief announced.

Speaking in a televised interview on Tuesday night, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said he has had extensive telephone conversations with his Chinese and American counterparts earlier in the day.

He said Iran will press on with modernizing its heavy water reactor in Arak even without cooperation from China or the US.

�We want China and the US to certify our activities in Arak,� he explained.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.

According to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), �Iran will redesign and rebuild a modernized heavy water research reactor in Arak, based on an agreed conceptual design, using fuel enriched up to 3.67 %, in a form of an international partnership which will certify the final design.�

Later in November, the document on redesigning the heavy water rector was signed by all parties to the JCPOA.

The lasting deal is expected to take effect within the next few weeks.

By Tasnim News Agency