Iran Informs IAEA of Plan to Suspend Voluntary Measures

Iran submitted a letter to the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday to inform the global watchdog of a plan to halt its voluntary cooperation under the 2015 nuclear deal as of February 23. 
According to Iran’s permanent representative to Vienna-based organizations, the measure is taken in accordance with a parliamentary law as well as the Islamic Republic’s rights mentioned in paragraphs 26 and 36 of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, to counter the illegal American sanctions. 
“In this letter, we have asked the agency to take the required steps as soon as possible regarding Iran’s request to stop various voluntary measures, including adherence to the Additional Protocol,” Kazem Gharibabadi was quoted as saying by ISNA. 
Iran has been scaling down its commitments under the JCPOA since 2019, in response to the sweeping sanctions that the United States imposed after its unilateral withdrawal in 2018. 
Officials in Tehran maintain that the measures are taken in accordance with the provisions of the deal that allow one party to suspend its commitments in case of non-compliance by other participants.
Apart from the US, the European parties also failed to meet their trade obligations, despite their pledge to protect Iran’s economic interests.    
In recent months, Iran has been ramping up its nuclear measures, including enrichment of uranium beyond JCPOA limits, as per a recent parliamentary legislation, dubbed “strategic action plan to counter sanctions and protect the rights of the nation.” 
Among the requirements of the law is suspension of adherence to the Additional Protocol to the country’s Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, if sanctions are not fully and effectively removed by the set deadline. 
“From this date on, Iran’s cooperation with the agency would continue solely based on the Safeguards Agreement, until grounds are prepared for Iran to return to meeting these requirements upon the practical and tangible removal of sanctions,” Gharibabadi said.  
Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to temporarily and voluntarily implement the Additional Protocol which allows the IAEA to carry out snap inspections. The new law will restrict the agency’s access once enforced. 
Iranian officials have repeatedly declared that all nuclear measures taken since 2019 would be reversed after American sanctions are completely and practically revoked.
The new US administration, however, refuses to take the initial step and has been calling on Iran to return to full compliance first.