International Atomic Energy Agency Confirms Iran's Compliance with JCPOA

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, confirmed Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during a quarterly meeting of the agency on Thursday, December 2. According to the Associated Press, Amano stated at the meeting of the 35-member Board of Governors that "Iran has adhered to its commitments." He emphasized that the IAEA is monitoring and verifying all nuclear commitments under the 2015 agreement, including Section T. Under Section T of the JCPOA, "activities that could contribute to the design and development of a nuclear explosive device are prohibited." Amano noted, "So far, the agency has had access to all necessary inspection sites... At this stage, I have no concerns to raise." According to the German news agency, Amano also mentioned on the sidelines of the Board meeting that there have been "some misunderstandings" with Washington regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran. He stated that during his recent trip to the U.S., he attempted to resolve these disagreements with American policymakers and legislators. President Donald Trump threatened last month that the U.S. might withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran. In October, Trump refrained from signing the Iran nuclear agreement, stating that it "could be terminated by me at any time." The U.S. President had previously certified Iran's compliance with the JCPOA twice. While the U.S. President has refrained from signing the JCPOA, he has not yet withdrawn from the agreement. The President has stated that he has asked his administration to work with Congress and U.S. allies to address the flaws in the agreement so that Iran "can never threaten the world with nuclear weapons." The U.S. is seeking to renegotiate the JCPOA, but Iran has stated that it will not accept any renegotiation of the agreement. Washington is also calling for restrictions on Iran's missile program, but Iran insists that its missile program is non-negotiable. While the U.S. claims that according to a UN Security Council resolution, Iran must abandon its ballistic missile program, Tehran argues that the resolution prohibits the use of nuclear-capable missiles. Resolution 2231, adopted by the Security Council on July 19, 2015, states: "Iran is called upon to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons for eight years after the JCPOA's implementation day, including the use of related technology." France, Britain, and Germany previously issued a joint statement on October 13, expressing support for the JCPOA while raising concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program and its "destabilizing activities" in the region. The joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany reads: "The IAEA has periodically confirmed Iran's compliance with the JCPOA through long-term verification and monitoring programs. Therefore, we urge the U.S. government and Congress to consider the implications for U.S. security and its allies before taking any actions that could undermine the JCPOA, such as re-imposing sanctions that were lifted under the agreement." National Security Advisor General McMaster stated in September that the JCPOA "has given all benefits to the Iranian regime in advance." General McMaster also accused Iran of destabilizing the region, stating, "We know that Iran has violated parts of the agreement." According to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group, the IAEA is responsible for implementing and judging the compliance of the parties with their commitments.