Ahead of the start of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, an
official in the Islamic Republic called limiting uranium enrichment and
diluting its stockpile the country’s “most important
commitments,” state
radio reported on Sunday.
The comments by Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman of Iran’s atomic
department, show how the government of moderate President Hassan Rouhani
welcomes the deal, which begins Monday. International inspectors also
already have arrived in Tehran, preparing for the government opening its
facilities to them.
“Implementation of mutual commitments in the framework of the Geneva
deal will begin from tomorrow,” Mr. Kamalvandi said. “Under the
agreement, suspension of 20 per cent enrichment of uranium and the
diluting of the current stockpile of enriched uranium are the most
important commitments of our country.”
Iran struck the deal in November with
the so-called P5+1 countries Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia
and the United States. Negotiators agreed to final terms of the deal
Jan. 13.
Under the agreement, Iran will limit its uranium enrichment to 5 per
cent the grade commonly used to power reactors. The deal also commits
Iran to stop producing 20 percent enriched uranium which is only a
technical step away from weapons-grade material and to neutralise its 20
percent stockpile over the six months.
In exchange, economic sanctions Iran faces would be eased for six
months. Senior officials in U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration
have put the total relief figure at some $7 billion.
During the six months, negotiations between Iran and the world powers would continue in hopes of reaching a permanent deal.
The West fears Iran’s nuclear program could allow it to build an atomic
weapon. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, like
power generation and medical research.
On Saturday a team of international inspectors arrived in Tehran in
preparation of beginning their inspections. They will visit Fordo, where
Iran enriches its 20 percent uranium, as well as its Natanz facility,
which produces 5 percent enriched uranium, to ensure the country
complies with the deal.
Kamalvandi said Sunday that Iran will use centrifuges now producing 20
percent enriched uranium to instead produce 5 percent enriched uranium
to comply with the agreement.
But suspicions remain high in both Tehran and Washington after decades
of hostility dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran that
ousted the U.S.—backed shah dynasty. Rouhani, Iran’s new reformist
president, has reached out to the West, but must depend on support from
Iran’s top decision—maker, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for
his initiatives amid criticism from hard—line factions.
Writing a post on his Facebook page Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister
Mohammad Javad Zarif reassured the world that the deal will begin on
time.
“I am hopeful that implementation of the first phase will have positive
results for the country and peace and stability in the region and the
world while preparing the ground for essential talks on a final
solution,” Zarif wrote.
