IAEA: Iran Announces Temporary Implementation of Additional Protocol

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that Iran has informed the agency that it will begin the temporary implementation of the Additional Protocol "from the day the nuclear agreement is implemented." On Sunday, October 18, the IAEA issued a statement on its website indicating that Iran will implement the Additional Protocol until it is ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. The statement clarified that Iran has also announced the "full implementation of the amended Code 3.1" in the safeguards agreement. According to the nuclear community agreement reached between Iran and world powers, the day of implementation will be the day the IAEA confirms that the Islamic Republic has fulfilled its commitments regarding the reduction of the level and amount of uranium enrichment, the reduction of its enriched materials, and changes to the Arak heavy water facility. On the day of implementation, the EU and US nuclear sanctions against Iran will be lifted or suspended. However, official sources have told the Associated Press that no action will be taken to lift the sanctions until the IAEA confirms Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement and roadmap. France's news agency reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini are set to announce the lifting of EU sanctions against Iran in a joint statement. Under the Additional Protocol, the IAEA will have extraordinary access to Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran had previously implemented the Additional Protocol for a period during Mohammad Khatami's presidency but has refrained from ratifying it until now. In this context, the EU will announce a "resolution to lift sanctions" on Sunday, and the first meeting of the Joint Commission of Iran and the 5+1 will be held on Monday.