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.
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“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.
