Six- month nuclear deal set to start
Tehran, Iran – Iran and six world powers have agreed on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, with its terms starting from January 20, officials declared today.
The announcement, made first by Iranian officials, starts a six- month clock for a final deal to be struck over the Islamic Republic’s contested nuclear programme. It also signals an easing of the financial sanctions crippling Iran’s economy, though some United States lawmakers have called for tough measures against the country.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirming the news. The agency said Iran would allow the United Nations’ atomic agency access to its nuclear facilities and its centrifuge production lines to confirm it was complying with terms of the deal.
European Union negotiator Catherine Ashton praised the deal in a statement, saying ‘‘ the foundations for a coherent, robust and smooth implementation . . . have been laid.’’ German Foreign Minister FrankWalter Steinmeier called the deal ‘‘ a decisive step forward which we can build on’’.
US Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the deal, as well, in a statement, saying further negotiations ‘‘ represent the best chance we have to resolve this critical national security issue peacefully, and durably.’’
Under the November
agreement, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment to 5 per cent – the grade commonly used to power reactors. The deal also commits Iran to stop producing 20 per cent enriched uranium – a step away from weapons- grade material – and to neutralise its 20 per cent stockpile.
In exchange, economic sanctions that Iran faces would be eased for a period of six months. During that time, the world powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US – would continue negotiations with Iran on a permanent deal.
The West fears Iran’s nuclear programme could allow it to build a nuclear bomb. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes, such as medical research and power generation. Iran’s semi- official ISNA news agency reported that under the terms of the deal, Iran would guarantee that it wouldn’t try to attain nuclear arms ‘‘ under any circumstance’’.
However, US lawmakers are proposing to blacklist several Iranian industrial sectors and ban banks and companies around the world from the US market if they help Iran export any more oil. The provisions would only take effect if Tehran violates the interim nuclear deal or lets it expire without a follow- up accord. That has caused anxiety in Iran, where hard- liners have already called the deal a ‘‘ poison chalice’’ and are threatening legislation to increase uranium enrichment.