Amano Emphasizes Iran's Commitment to Nuclear Agreement Implementation

With increasing concerns about the new U.S. government's attempts to change the terms of the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasized on Tuesday, February 15, that Iran has so far adhered to the JCPOA. According to Reuters, Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the Agency, told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Dubai: "Except for some violations related to exceeding the heavy water storage limit specified in the agreement, Iran has been committed to the JCPOA." Under the JCPOA, Iran is only allowed to have 130 tons of heavy water. Heavy water reactors are more efficient in producing plutonium, a material that can be used in the construction of nuclear weapons. Iran and Western powers signed an agreement known as the JCPOA to alleviate concerns about nuclear weapons development in Iran, under which the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities are reduced, and Western sanctions against Iran are also eased. Meanwhile, "some sources" have told Reuters that the Trump administration intends to ask the IAEA to adopt a stricter policy regarding Iran's compliance with the JCPOA and to insist on the Agency's access to Iran's military sites and facilities. Mr. Amano added on Tuesday that the expectation of Iran's implementation of safeguards "should be the same as for other countries, and there should be no negative or positive discrimination in this regard". He stated: "No political issue changes the implementation of [the JCPOA]. Implementation is very important and requires effort from all parties, and... we have very powerful verification tools at our disposal." The Director General emphasized among reporters that "Iran's nuclear activities have decreased, and this can be considered a net benefit. What is important is the continued implementation of the agreement." He also mentioned that "the Trump administration is still in the early stages, but we are very eager to engage with them as soon as possible" and added: "However, the new government has not yet contacted the International Atomic Energy Agency." One reporter asked Mr. Amano about a scenario where Iran continues to adhere to the agreements while the United States wants to change the agreement, but he refrained from commenting on this. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, on December 19, in a meeting with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, once again described the U.S. Senate's resolution to extend sanctions against Iran as "contrary" to the Vienna nuclear agreement and stated that Iran would not be the initiator of the JCPOA violation.