Prior to the implementation of the JCPOA, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has to issue its final report on Iran’s fulfillment of its commitments as stipulated in the agreement.
Advertisement
UNITED NATIONS The United Nations and world powers are close to lifting sanctions on Iran under a historic nuclear deal struck in July between Tehran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
The White House said that the quick resolution of the precarious situation was due to new lines of communication which the United States had established with Iran over the course of negotiating the nuclear deal.
The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, must first issue a report confirming Iran has met its side of the deal.
Kerry once again expressed gratitude to Iranian authorities for swiftly releasing 10 US Navy sailor detained in the Gulf Tuesday after reportedly drifting into Iranian waters.
As negotiations with Tehran accelerated in 2013, US officials insisted the diplomacy concerned only ending the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and shouldn’t signal a strategic realignment that would forsake longstanding USA allies like Israel or the Gulf state Sunni monarchies.
Hard-liners in Iran, who oppose Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the nuclear deal with world powers, argue that the so-called “disabling” of Arak is a slap in the face of Iran and allegedly evidence of Rouhani having given too many concessions to the West in return to little. Many U.S. lawmakers have clamored for tougher action against Iran after it tested ballistic missiles late previous year and for its refusal to release American prisoners.
Friday would be the earliest date that IAEA inspectors could verify Iran had removed nuclear equipment and material from atomic sites, two diplomats with direct knowledge of the process said on Wednesday.
Iran will receive millions of dollars held up under the sanctions regime after the nuclear pact is implemented.
They were released Wednesday after Kerry negotiated their release with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif.
The IAEA declined comment on the timing of the report.
In exchange, Iran agreed modest restraints on its nuclear program.
Three days ago, US ships and sailors were traveling from Kuwait to Bahrain on a training mission. In Washington, the deal has come under sustained attack from majority Republicans in Congress who have accused Obama of weakness and say the Iranians are not to be trusted.
Advertisement
“Implementation Day” refers to the point when Iran will have taken all the necessary steps to limit its nuclear program under the terms of the deal. Under snapback, punitive sanctions are automatically reintroduced if Iran fails to comply with the deal.
