IAEA: Iran continues to adhere to nuclear deal
TEHRAN(Basirat): Iran is sticking to the 2015 nuclear accord, a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Thursday, also adding that the country may build nuclear reactors for ships within limits of the deal.
The IAEA document, the eleventh since the deal came into force in January 2016, showed Iran complying with the accord's key parameters.
This announcement came over two months ahead of US President Donald Trump's self-imposed deadline to fix its "disastrous flaws".
The number of centrifuges to enrich uranium was below the agreed level of 5,060, while Iran's total stockpile of low-enriched uranium "has not exceeded 300kg," said the report, which was seen by AFP.
When enriched to high purities, uranium can be used in nuclear weapons. At low purities, it can be used for peaceful applications such as power generation – Iran's stated aim.
The volume of heavy water, a reactor coolant, remained below the agreed maximum of 130 tons throughout the past three months.
Iran has also informed the IAEA of the decision "to construct naval nuclear propulsion in future” and the agency has requested "further clarifications and amplifications," the report added.
The IAEA, which is tasked with monitoring Iran's nuclear activities, has repeatedly verified Tehran's full commitment to its side of the bargain.
Reuters quoted a senior diplomat as saying that Iran’s notification on marine propulsion could cover a range of intentions over any period of time, meaning there was no cause for concern.
If Iran had reached a concrete decision to build new facilities for marine propulsion it must provide design information, Reuters reported.
Trump in January set a 120-day deadline for US lawmakers and European allies to "fix" his predecessor Barack Obama's main foreign policy achievement or face a US exit.
The IAEA, Russia, China and European signatories reaffirmed support for the hard-won agreement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned Europe signatories against compromising on the deal, saying it would be a "slippery slope in a very dangerous direction".
Under the 2015 deal with Russia, the US, China, France, Britain, Germany and the EU, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for lifting of the nuclear-related sanctions.
Source:Irandailynews
