Obama orders waivers to Iran sanctions
‘Adoption day’ is a first step under nuclear agreement
President Obama signed an order Sunday directing his administration to begin issuing waivers to Iran nuclear sanctions — but the waivers will go into effect only once Iran meets its obligations under the agreement limiting its nuclear program.
The presidential memorandum marks what’s being called “adoption day” for the international agreement intended to roll back Iran’s nuclear program. The milestone, four administration officials said, is driven by the calendar.
“Today marks an important milestone toward preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensuring its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful going forward,” Obama said in a statement.
Obama directed Secretary of State John Kerry to issue the waivers.
Sunday marks 90 days since the United Nations Security Council approved the agreement. “So adoption day is a calendar-- driven event and it’s the day at which all the parties begin to take the steps they need to make sure they take to get to implementation day,” said State Department spokesman John Kirby. “And we’re not at implementation day; that’s a whole different purpose.”
No date is set for implementation day. Under the agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, implementation will come only when the International Atomic Energy Agency certifies that Iran has lived up to its obligations to reduce its stockpiles of enriched uranium, dismantle two-thirds of its centrifuges, and halt construction of new nuclear facilities.
Western officials have said they expect that to take four to six months. Iran is motivated to act quickly, said one of the four senior administration officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the State Department.
Obama and the European Union are required to direct the issuance of waivers. The arrangement allows businesses to know what sanctions are waived, a senior administration official said.
“These next steps will allow us to reach the objectives we set out to achieve ... and will result in cutting off all four pathways Iran could use to develop enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon,” Obama said.
Most of the sanctions being lifted apply only to non-U.S. citizens and companies doing business with Iran.