Kerry: Closing the PMD Case Does Not Prevent Future Agency Investigations

John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the closure of the "Possible Military Dimensions" (PMD) case does not mean that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is barred from investigating any future suspicions regarding Iran's clandestine nuclear activities. According to Reuters, on Tuesday, December 15, Kerry expressed his approval of the IAEA's Board of Governors' decision to close the PMD case, saying that this resolution allows the IAEA to focus on the full implementation and verification of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He added, "The December 2 report from the IAEA Director General aligns with what the United States has long said about the past of Iran's nuclear program... indicating that Iran had a coordinated program related to nuclear weapons until 2003 and continued such activities for at least several years after that." For over a decade, Western powers have accused Iran of conducting nuclear weapons-related tests within its nuclear activities, but the Board's resolution on Tuesday closes this accusatory case. Tehran had warned that if this case was not closed, Iran would also refrain from implementing the main parts of the agreement reached between Iran and Western powers known as the JCPOA. Henry Ensher, the U.S. representative to the IAEA, also expressed a similar view in his speech at the Board of Governors, stating, "As we close this important chapter today, we must remain vigilant that the Agency's hand will not be tied for investigations regarding potential concerns that may arise." In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the closure of the case, stating that "finally, after 12 years, the Board of Governors has acknowledged the completion of the roadmap between Iran and the Agency." Zarif further remarked that this resolution goes far beyond just closing the PMD issue and officially cancels 12 previous Board resolutions regarding Iran's nuclear program that contained serious accusations and restrictions. He added, "The Board has also officially concluded the agenda concerning past actions and created a new agenda titled 'Implementation of the JCPOA' that looks to the future for a specified period." He emphasized, "Based on this resolution, it can be clearly stated that the fabricated issue of the so-called military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, known as PMD, has become a thing of the past." Abbas Araqchi, head of the JCPOA Follow-up Headquarters at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, mentioned that after the resolution's approval, they could complete some remaining tasks within about three weeks and be in a position to announce the implementation day of the JCPOA. He noted that while the report mentioned some activities before 2003, they did not go beyond the study phase, which they do not accept and will provide their reasons. The IAEA Director General reported last month that Iran had worked on nuclear weapon projects in the past, but the report specified that Iran's actions had not gone beyond the study phase. Meanwhile, Reza Najafi, Iran's representative to the IAEA, stated that this resolution would pave the way for accelerating the completion of JCPOA actions, indicating that the Israeli government is now more isolated due to the conclusion of the JCPOA and the closure of remaining PMD issues.