Reuters: New Agency Report on Iran's Compliance with Nuclear Agreement Restrictions

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Monday, in its first report since Donald Trump's non-certification of Iran's compliance with the JCPOA, that Iran has adhered to all nuclear activity limitations under the terms of the JCPOA. According to Reuters, Iran agreed to reduce its uranium production in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions that had crippled its economy, and since then, international inspectors have repeatedly confirmed Iran's fidelity to the terms of the JCPOA. Based on a confidential report from the IAEA sent to member countries, a copy of which has reached this news agency, Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was 96.7 kilograms as of November 5, which is significantly less than the 202.8 kilograms limit set in the nuclear agreement, and its enrichment level does not reach the maximum allowed of 3.67 percent. Iran's heavy water stockpile, which can be used in various reactors to produce plutonium, was at 114.4 tons, again below the agreed limit of 130 tons. The purpose of the thresholds established in the nuclear agreement (i.e., 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, a maximum of 202.8 kilograms of uranium stockpile, and a maximum of 130 tons of heavy water) is to prevent Iran from producing and storing the necessary materials for building a nuclear bomb, which requires uranium enriched to 90 percent. Yukiya Amano, the IAEA Director General, stated in September that he would welcome the opinions of the signatory countries regarding the results of the agency's inspections of Iran's technical facilities that could be used for nuclear bomb production. Inspections of technical facilities are related to the 'T' clause of the JCPOA. Russia criticized the IAEA's inspections of Iran's technical centers, but nonetheless, Monday's report from the agency states that it has inspected and confirmed Iran's commitment to this part of the JCPOA. Donald Trump has described the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, including the U.S., as 'the worst deal in history' and did not certify Iran's compliance with the terms of this agreement last month. Although Trump's decision does not mean the U.S. is withdrawing from the JCPOA, he clearly warned that if the flaws and deficiencies of the JCPOA are not addressed in cooperation with Congress and U.S. allies, he will withdraw from it. Trump's non-certification of Iran's compliance with the JCPOA means that the U.S. Congress must decide by mid-December whether to reinstate nuclear sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA during Barack Obama's presidency. If Congress reinstates these sanctions, the U.S. will effectively violate the JCPOA, ultimately leading to the collapse of this agreement. However, if U.S. lawmakers take no action, the agreement will remain in place. In response to the U.S. President's decision, Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of Iran, stated that as long as the other signatories respect the agreement, Iran will remain within its framework. However, if the U.S. withdraws from the agreement, it will 'tear it up.' Iran has also stated through its foreign minister that it does not intend to be the first to exit this agreement and will not allow the nuclear deal to be terminated at Iran's expense. In this context, Amano's statements regarding the photographing and sealing of parts of Iran's nuclear facilities were confirmed, as was Mogherini's emphasis on the need for 'the implementation of all parts of the JCPOA' by all parties. An Associated Press report mentioned a draft proposal in Congress following the non-certification of the 'JCPOA.' Haley stated that the U.S. will remain in the JCPOA for now but seeks a proportional response to Iran's actions. Zarif emphasized that the only authority for addressing the JCPOA is the International Atomic Energy Agency. Amano stated that Iran is under the strongest nuclear verification regime. The U.S. has announced a new strategy regarding Iran, including sanctions against the IRGC and non-certification of compliance with the JCPOA.