Concrete has been poured into the core of Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, a move critical to the implementation of the nuclear agreement Tehran reached with major powers. That is expected in the next days, possibly Saturday.
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In Washington, US Secretary of State John Kerry did not confirm a specific date for implementation, but reiterated that it was expected to come rapidly.
Kerry predicted Iran could comply with last summer’s nuclear deal “within the next coming days”.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Iran is making important progress toward curbing its nuclear program and that it’s possible the Islamic Republic has already completed all the necessary steps.
He said the foreign ministers who negotiated the July accord – including Kerry, Zarif and their counterparts from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russian Federation – may meet to deliver a joint statement.
REUTERS/Heinz-Peter BaderAn Iranian flag flutters in front of the United Nations headquarters, during an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors meeting, in Vienna, March 4, 2015.
Implementation to come soon, US Secretary of State says, meaning Iran to reap lifting of economic sanctions. He added he had no updates on the timing of when exactly the agreement would be implemented.
On the back of the nuclear deal – Iran has always denied seeking a bomb – Rouhani wants to make greater inroads in domestic policy.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday to restrict President Barack Obama’s ability to lift sanctions on Iran, but the White House has promised to veto it.
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But Rouhani has faced criticism from hardline groups about the nuclear deal, with opponents warning it could lead to “infiltration” by the United States.
