The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again verified Iran’s adherence to its commitments under a July 2015 nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and six global powers.
“The agency has been verifying and monitoring the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments under the [nuclear deal, known as the] Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for more than a year,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in his introductory statement to the IAEA Board of Governors on Monday.
He made the remarks upon delivering to the 35-member Board of Governors his report on Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015).
The report provided more information in relation to Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU), which was facilitated by clarifications agreed by the Iran-P5+1 Joint Commission established under the JCPOA, he said.
LEU contains the isotope uranium 235 in a concentration of less than 20 percent and greater than 0.7 percent.
Amano further stated that the IAEA in January had confirmed the removal of “excess centrifuges and infrastructure” from the Fordow enrichment facility to the Natanz nuclear site, where they are now stored under the agency’s continuous monitoring.
Under the JCPOA, Iran is required to complete the removal of all excess centrifuges and infrastructure from the Fordow uranium enrichment facility within one year from Implementation Day, and to transfer them for storage at the Natanz nuclear site under continuous IAEA monitoring.
Amano said the IAEA would continue to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its safeguards agreement, adding, “Evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran [will] continue.”
The IAEA is monitoring the JCPOA, which was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China plus Germany - on July 14, 2015.
Under the JCPOA, whose implementation started on January 16, 2016, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
Since the implementation of the JCPOA, the IAEA has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement in several reports.
In his visit to Tehran on December 18, the IAEA director general expressed satisfaction with Iran’s compliance with its commitments.
