Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh Reports to Supreme Leader Khamenei: We Are Building A 40 Mega-Watt Heavy-Water Reactor

Following is an excerpts from a presentation to Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei, delivered by Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh, Head of Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, which aired on Channel 1, Iranian TV on June 21, 2006:

Gholam-Reza Aghazadeh: There is a growing need in the country for the various radio-medicines for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the need for various radio-isotopes for industrial and research purposes. However, certain countries have placed various restrictions on us with regard to obtaining these radio-isotopes from external sources. Therefore, the (Iranian Atomic Energy) Organization has made a resolute decision to build a new reactor, which will replace the old 5 mega-watt reactor in Tehran, which has out-lived its efficiency. The resolute decision to build a new reactor with a capacity of 40 mega-watt, which uses heavy water, was included in the organization's agenda. The practical measures and preparatory steps of the project began in October 2004, and Allah willing, the reactor will be operational and the end of the fall of 2008.