Iran implementing five nuclear cooperation measures: IAEA envoy

Tehran is seriously working to complete the implementation of five nuclear transparency measures agreed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in May, Iran’s envoy to the agency says.

On Sunday, Reza Najafi said Tehran had started enforcing the transparency measures before the August 25 deadline as already announced by Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi.

Iran and the IAEA signed a joint statement on November 11, 2013, to outline a roadmap for mutual cooperation on certain outstanding nuclear issues.

On May 20, the two sides held a technical meeting within the Framework for Cooperation agreed in November 2013. During the meeting, they agreed to five practical measures which should have been implemented by August 25 for more cooperation.

Najafi further stated that Iran had completed the implementation of three of the five cooperation measures by the deadline, adding that Iranian and IAEA experts held a meeting in Tehran on Sunday to discuss the two remaining steps.

Given the complexity of the issues, Iran and the agency had already predicted it might not be possible to finish their reviews of the remaining topics by August 25, said Najafi, adding that the two sides have agreed to resume their talks “in the near future.”

During a visit to Tehran on August 17, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano hailed Iran’s resolve to settle issues pertaining to its nuclear energy program through cooperation with the nuclear agency.

“I was very glad to hear from the highest levels a firm commitment to the implementation of the Framework for Cooperation, and to resolve all present and past issues through dialogue and cooperation with the IAEA,” Amano said.

Following the visit, Amano also confirmed that Iran had started implementing the measures ahead of the deadline for Tehran to provide the agency with new information on its nuclear activities.