IAEA: Iran has complied with the JCPOA but is nearing the heavy water stockpile limit

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran has adhered to the provisions of the nuclear agreement signed in July 2015, but has once again approached the maximum allowable limit for heavy water reserves. According to Reuters, the IAEA's quarterly report on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was provided to the Board of Governors on Friday, June 1, is the second report from this UN body since Donald Trump became President of the United States. Mr. Trump has described this agreement, which was signed between Iran and six world powers including the US during Barack Obama's administration, as 'the worst deal ever' and has stated that he will review it. The agency states that as of May 27, Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.5% was approximately 79.8 kilograms, which is well below the permitted limit of 202.8 kilograms set by the JCPOA. A senior diplomat noted that 'everything is normal so far' regarding Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement's limitations. Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to halt many of its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting or suspension of international sanctions. The goal of this agreement is to extend the time required to acquire the fissile material needed to build a nuclear bomb from a few months to one year. To build a nuclear weapon, uranium must be enriched to 90%. The agency also emphasized in its report on Friday that Iran's heavy water reserves have reached 128.2 tons, which is close to the permitted limit of 130 tons. Since the signing of the JCPOA, Iran has exceeded this limit twice, prompting the agency to express 'concern' in this regard. The nuclear agreement stipulates that Iran must sell its excess reserves to foreign parties, and Tehran has moved its surplus reserves to Oman for this purpose. Reuters reports that Iran is currently not producing heavy water because the Arak facility is shut down for repairs. Diplomats suggest that Tehran likely did not want to create tension ahead of the presidential election on May 29, in which Hassan Rouhani was re-elected with 23.5 million votes. It is still unclear when the Arak heavy water reactor will resume operations, but if this happens today, it is expected that Iran will reach the 130-ton heavy water limit in the second half of July.