Iraqi: We Will Complete Our JCPOA Commitments Within Two to Three Weeks

Abbas Araghchi, head of the team following the implementation of the JCPOA, stated that with the closure of the possible military dimensions (PMD) file of Iran's nuclear program, Tehran will complete its remaining commitments and those that have been prepared within two to three weeks. This Iranian Foreign Ministry official said on state television on December 15 that one of Iran's most important commitments relates to the Arak heavy water reactor and another to the stockpile of enriched uranium; "Now that the PMD has been closed, we will start these two key tasks, and the other commitments regarding the collection of excess centrifuges and monitoring discussions have already been initiated and prepared. We will also complete these matters." He added that Iran believes these tasks will be completed in the next two to three weeks. Mr. Araghchi also quoted Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizing that the agency's oversight of Iran's commitments will take a few days. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in July in Vienna that limited Iran's nuclear program while providing a way to exit extensive sanctions. Following this agreement, Iran began implementing its commitments. However, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that in cases like the Arak facility, "nothing has been done yet," and only preparations have been made. He mentioned that the six world powers have agreed to form a working group with Iran to cooperate in the reconstruction of Arak. Sanctions will be lifted after the IAEA's verification on what is referred to as "Implementation Day." It has been stated that "Implementation Day" will occur in the early weeks of the new Gregorian year. Abbas Araghchi also mentioned that sanctions will be practically lifted in "three weeks to a month." This Iranian government official emphasized that the PMD was of great importance to Tehran, and with its closure, "the file that all sanctions and the securitization of Iran were based on has been closed and set aside." The IAEA Board of Governors closed the case regarding Iran's alleged efforts to build a nuclear weapon on December 15. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, welcomed this development but emphasized that the closure of the PMD does not mean that the agency is barred from investigating any future suspicions regarding Iran's clandestine nuclear activities. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, also stated that with the closure of this file, a "new chapter" in Iran's nuclear program and cooperation with the IAEA has been opened.