IAEA: No Sign of Diversion of Iran Nuclear Material
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again reaffirmed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, saying the body has no indications of a diversion of nuclear material toward non-civilian purposes.
“The Agency has found no indication of the diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful nuclear activities in Iran,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in his introductory statement to the Board of Governors on Monday.
“Iran’s Additional Protocol has been provisionally implemented since January 16th, 2016,” he added.
He said a nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries went into effect on January 16.
Amano noted that both the 35-nation Board of Governors and the Security Council have asked the UN nuclear agency to undertake verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA and to report to the two bodies.
He said Iran should implement its commitments under the JCPOA for many years to come while the IAEA has to verify, monitor and report on its implementation.
The IAEA chief noted that he would continue to report the findings “in an objective and factual manner” including details which the agency considers necessary.
The UN nuclear agency’s chief noted that he established a new Office of Safeguards Verification in Iran in the Department of Safeguards on March 1st.
On February 26, the IAEA released its first regular report since the implementation of the JCPOA which verified Iran’s commitment to the nuclear agreement.
The IAEA said it “has been verifying and monitoring the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments”, adding it was satisfied.
After the JCPOA went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran, in return, has put some limitations on its nuclear activities.
The nuclear agreement was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany on July 14, 2015 following two and a half years of intensive talks.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said in a press conference on Sunday, if any members of the P5+1 group does not abide by its commitments under the JCPOA, Tehran will soon react.
Iran invited to attend full IAEA activities – Amano
Speaking to reporters, Amano said with the removal of UN Security Council resolutions imposing some restrictions on Iran, the Islamic Republic is currently invited to participate in the full range of the IAEA activities.
“There had been some restrictions in terms of technical cooperation before the JCPOA’s Implementation Day but since UN Security Council resolutions imposing those restrictions have now been removed, Iran is invited to participate in the full range of the agency’s activities and symposiums,” Amano said in response to Press TV’s question about the level of technical cooperation between Iran and the IAEA after the nuclear agreement went into effect.
He added that Iranian experts are invited to take part in IAEA training courses.
Elsewhere in the press conference, the IAEA director general noted that Iran and the agency began to implement the Additional Protocol from January 16.
Based on the normal procedure, Iran has to submit a declaration to the IAEA within 180 days which the agency will review and may ask further questions or seek clarification, he said.
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