The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, says that China has "slowed its cooperation with Iran in redesigning the Arak reactor" out of a fear of being targeted by U.S. sanctions. The new design for the heavy water reactor has been approved by Iran and China, according to Salehi, although the details of the design are only "half-way through." 900 Iranian experts are allegedly working on the project and Salehi warned that Iran would pursue "alternative options" for the reactor design if China reneges, including pursuing the reactor alone.