The Agency Points to a 'Potential Problem' in Iran's Nuclear Program in its Report on the JCPOA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a new report on Thursday, September 8, regarding the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and world powers, emphasizing that it has not observed any clear violations by Iran in relation to this agreement. According to the Associated Press, however, the Agency mentioned a potential concern, which is that Iran has begun the construction of 'rotor tubes' for centrifuges used for uranium enrichment. Iran is allowed to do this under the terms of the JCPOA but has accepted limitations in this regard. Tehran must use spare parts taken from older devices for the 5,060 centrifuges that are currently producing limited low-enriched uranium. Strict restrictions are applied to the parts needed for more advanced centrifuges. The Associated Press states that, according to the Agency's report, which it has obtained a copy of, 'related technical discussions' are ongoing. Uranium has various applications based on its enrichment level, ranging from medical and nuclear fuel uses to the construction of nuclear weapons. Reuters also reported, referencing the Agency's report, that Iran has complied with the restrictions regarding the amount of uranium and heavy water it can store, materials that are applicable in nuclear weapon development. Under the Vienna agreement reached last July between Tehran and six world powers, Iran agreed to maintain its stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67% at a maximum of 300 kilograms and to keep its heavy water stockpile, which is a non-radioactive product, at a maximum of 130 tons. The Agency stated in its report on Thursday: 'During the reporting period, Iran has not had more than 130 tons of heavy water... Iran's total low-enriched uranium stockpile has not exceeded 300 kilograms.' The IAEA, which is the UN's nuclear watchdog, is required to periodically report on the implementation of this agreement and Iran's compliance with its commitments. The IRNA news agency reported that Yukiya Amano's five-page report is one of his shortest reports provided to the 35 members of the IAEA. The Agency's Board of Governors is set to review this report in its upcoming meeting. Reza Najafi, Iran's permanent representative to the Agency, reacted to the mentioned report by stating that this body has confirmed Iran's actions within the framework of the JCPOA. In this context, the U.S. government rejected the granting of 'secret nuclear exemptions' to Iran.