Constraints on the nuclear program accepted under the July 14 nuclear accord in return for sanctions relief will not impede the development of the program, the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran assured.
“The organization (the AEOI) began negotiations with the presumption that it might have to make concessions and (accept) restrictions. But we proceeded while avoiding agreeing to restrictions that would create obstacles in the way of developing the nuclear industry,” Behrouz Kamalvandi said.
The deal was the outcome of about 20 months of talks with the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany) to reach a settlement on a long-running dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, reported by IRNA, Kamalvandi stressed the agreed limits are time-bound, adding that the media is responsible for publicizing the “considerable” gains achieved in the field of nuclear energy.
Regarding the removal of excess centrifuges as required by the nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Kamalvandi said, “We will not remove the machines until the JCPOA is approved.”
Under a parliamentary bill passed in June, the document requires approval by the Majlis and the Supreme National Security Council before coming into force. On the agreement signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency alongside the nuclear deal, to resolve lingering questions about Iran’s nuclear past, the AEOI spokesperson said, “The Iranian issue posed an important test for the UN agency.”
“The agency’s director general (Yukiya Amano) performed well by refusing to disclose the confidential aspects (of the roadmap agreement) in the US,” he said.
The UN nuclear watchdog has come under fire by US politicians for not publishing its roadmap agreement with Iran, which the UN body says is in line with its normal nuclear safeguards proceedings.
Amano appeared before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on August 5 to provide explanations on the agency’s role in monitoring Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA and especially the arrangements agreed under the roadmap.
“I received many questions. I was asked about the separate arrangements to the roadmap. I explained that my legal obligation is to protect safeguards confidentiality and this is an essential element of the international safeguards regime,” he said in a statement later posted on the IAEA’s website.
