Welcoming the Start of Actions for Implementing the JCPOA; 'The First Vital Step' Has Been Taken

The U.S. Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Energy, along with the British Foreign Secretary, welcomed the commencement of actions for the implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran (JCPOA). John Kerry stated in a statement that today is an important day for everyone and the first vital step towards ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, on Sunday, October 26, ordered his administration to prepare the necessary grounds for the lifting and cessation of the implementation of nuclear sanctions against Iran on the 'day of implementation of the nuclear agreement.' In this context, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, and Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, in a joint statement emphasized the commitment of all parties to implement the nuclear agreement or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as soon as possible, announcing the approval of the EU's legal framework for lifting sanctions. Meanwhile, John Kerry also stated on Sunday: 'This is an important day for all of us and the first vital step in the process of ensuring the peaceful objectives of Iran's nuclear program.' The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers in Vienna set a 90-day deadline after the issuance of a United Nations Security Council resolution for the parties to the agreement to complete the necessary legal and political processes regarding this agreement. Sunday marked the end of this deadline, referred to as the 'day of approval or acceptance.' Kerry emphasized in his statement: 'As I said on July 14, the JCPOA is a measurable step towards preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and moving towards transparency. If this agreement is fully implemented, it will be able to provide unprecedented information about Iran's nuclear program forever and also bring accountability to this country.' He added that the order to lift sanctions will not take effect until the 'day of implementation,' meaning when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms that Iran has taken all necessary nuclear actions. The U.S. Secretary of State stated: 'As we move towards the day of implementation, I and all members of the U.S. delegation will not only be vigilant and aware of how far we have come, but will also pay attention to where we need to go to ensure this agreement is fully implemented.' The day when Iran fulfills all commitments outlined in the JCPOA regarding its nuclear program and this is confirmed by the IAEA will be the 'day of implementation,' and simultaneously, the U.S. and the EU will stop or lift the relevant sanctions. Ernest Moniz, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, also emphasized the importance of the 'day of acceptance' of the agreement in the process of ensuring the objectives of Iran's nuclear program, stating: 'Today, as the JCPOA comes into effect, Iran will begin its actions to take essential and verifiable steps to roll back its nuclear program and will place this program under a system of rigorous oversight and review.' Jacob Lew, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, welcomed the start of the implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran, stating: 'This initial milestone has global significance. In response to Iran's nuclear actions, the U.S. and other countries will be ready to lift nuclear sanctions and simultaneously move towards the amicable implementation of the JCPOA and greater security for the global community.' In this context, Philip Hammond, the British Foreign Secretary, also stated: 'Today is a milestone for a historic agreement' that is the result of a decade of negotiations between Britain and partners with Iran. The British Foreign Secretary stated in a statement: '(With the implementation of this agreement) it will be ensured that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons, thus making the region safer, and with the gradual lifting of sanctions, the opportunity for Iran's reintegration into the international community will be provided.' Meanwhile, the IAEA announced on Sunday that Iran has informed the agency that it will begin the 'temporary' implementation of the Additional Protocol 'from the day of implementation of the nuclear agreement.' The IAEA clarified that Iran will implement the Additional Protocol until it is ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly.