Iraqchi: Joint Statement on Implementation of JCPOA to be Issued Next Week

The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Mohammad Javad Zarif and Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign policy chief, will issue a joint statement regarding the implementation of the JCPOA next Saturday or Sunday. Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday, January 13, Abbas Araqchi's remarks, emphasizing that Iran and the 1+5 group have fulfilled their commitments related to the nuclear agreement so far. According to him, the final report of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming Iran's compliance with the JCPOA will be published on Friday, January 15, and the joint statement by Zarif and Mogherini will be issued on Saturday or Sunday. One of the actions Iran is required to take to begin the implementation of the JCPOA is to remove the core of the Arak reactor and pour concrete in its place, which the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization has announced will be carried out this week. Reducing the number of centrifuges at the Natanz and Fordow sites and exchanging Iran's enriched uranium with raw uranium or yellowcake are also among the other conditions for starting the implementation of the nuclear agreement with the six world powers, which Iran claims to have completed. Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi also reported on the trip of Hamid Baidi-Nejad, head of the Iranian expert delegation in negotiations with the 1+5 group, to Vienna, which took place on Tuesday night. According to him, Mr. Baidi-Nejad is expected to carry out the remaining necessary actions for the implementation of the JCPOA during this trip, and Tehran hopes that everything will be finalized in Vienna by tonight, Wednesday. Mr. Araqchi also mentioned that following the issuance of the joint statement by Mohammad Javad Zarif and Federica Mogherini, some ceremonial activities such as a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran and the six world powers are also likely to take place. The Russian news agency Interfax also confirmed this matter, reporting that next week, the foreign ministers of Iran and the 1+5 group will meet to implement the nuclear agreement. Thus, years of dispute over Iran's nuclear program and international sanctions against it are approaching their final stage.