JCPOA implementation two-way street: Iran envoy

A senior Iranian diplomat has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its obligations under a nuclear agreement reached with six world powers, saying the deal is a “two way street.”

The charge d’affaires at Iran's permanent UN mission in Vienna, Assadollah Eshraq Jahromi, made the remarks in an address before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors in Vienna on Tuesday.

“The implementation of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments should be reciprocated by other parties as well, in order to guarantee the success of this momentous deal,” Jahromi said.

On Saturday, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany started to implement the nuclear agreement they had reached in July 2015.

After the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the United Nations Security Council and the United States were lifted. Iran in return has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. 

Jahromi added that the two sides should keep in mind that the JCPOA implementation is a "two-way street" and as such the agreement could be sustainable.

He said Iran will proceed with its peaceful nuclear program including its enrichment activities consistent with its own plan as agreed in the JCPOA, and will work closely with its counterparts to ensure that the agreement will "endure the test of time and achieve all its objectives."

The Iranian diplomat emphasized that this commitment is based on the P5+1 countries’ assurances that they will cooperate with Iran in its peaceful nuclear program in line with their commitments under the JCPOA.

He said Iran will cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with the terms of the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which allows for snap inspection of nuclear facilities.

The Iranian diplomat also called on the IAEA to prevent any intelligence leaks.

“The Agency should, at the same time, exercise utmost vigilance to ensure full protection of all confidential information coming to its knowledge through the implementation of Additional Protocol by Iran,” Jahromi pointed out.

He said the IAEA’s "fair, professional and impartial role" is crucial in the JCPOA implementation, adding that the UN nuclear agency should seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world.

JCPOA implementation, new phase in Iran-IAEA ties: Amano

Addressing the Board of Governors on Tuesday, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said the JCPOA implementation marks the beginning of a new phase in relations between Iran and the agency.

“A lot of work has gone into getting us here. Equal effort will be required in the future to implement the JCPOA. The IAEA is fully committed to playing its part,” the UN nuclear agency’s chief added.

Amano also noted that he plans to establish an Office in the Department of Safeguards to take charge of the IAEA safeguards, verification and monitoring activities in Iran.

Following the board of governors meeting and in response to a Press TV question concerning future technical cooperation between Iran and the agency, Amano said, “In the past, because of the UN Security Council resolutions, it was not possible to undertake cooperation in certain areas and the areas were limited.”

“Now, we can expand the scope of cooperation and one of the priorities is the area of safety of nuclear activities. This is a very important area and we are ready to consider it,” he added.

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