No credible sign of diversion in Iran nuclear material: IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) once again reaffirms the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, saying the body has no “credible indications” of a diversion of nuclear material toward non-civilian purposes.

“The Agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009. Nor has the Agency found any credible indications of the diversion of nuclear material in connection with the possible military dimensions (PMD) to Iran’s nuclear program,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in his introductory statement to the Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday.

He claimed that some activities had been carried out in Iran to develop a nuclear explosive device before and after 2003; however, the IAEA “assesses that these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities.”

Amano emphasized that his latest report entitled Final Assessment on Past and Present Outstanding Issues regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program was “factual, technically sound and balanced.”

Earlier this month, Iran's IAEA ambassador, Reza Najafi, rejected certain points in Amano's report, saying it had certain negative points,” including allegations about some studies pertaining to the development of nuclear weapons, which are rejected by Iran.

Iran has repeatedly denied any attempt to develop nuclear weapons, saying it is banned based on Islamic teachings. 

The IAEA chief further called on Iran to complete the necessary preparatory steps to start implementing a nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it reached with the P5+1 group of countries in July.

“JCPOA Implementation Day will occur when the Agency has verified that Iran has implemented measures specified in that agreement. I will inform the Board promptly when the Agency has verified that the preparatory steps have been completed,” he said.

He emphasized that the question of ways that the IAEA will fund its additional activities in Iran under the JCPOA must be addressed.

Amano said that significant progress has been made on the Iranian nuclear issue and urged all parties to fully honor their commitments under the JCPOA.

He noted that the UN nuclear agency will continue to address the Iranian nuclear issue “with the same professionalism it demonstrated in the past” and will present reports to the Board of Governors.

Amano made the remarks as the IAEA’s Board of Governors convened in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Tuesday to vote on a draft resolution forwarded to it by the P5+1 group of countries on Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran and the P5+1 -  the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia plus Germany - finalized the text JCPOA in Vienna on July 14. Under the JCPOA, limits are put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.

The agreement has obliged putting an end to the past and present outstanding issues pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program. As per Article 14 of the JCPOA, the P5+1 has submitted the draft resolution to the Board of Governors for approval, which would seal the case.

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