News / Foreign Policy

Iran makes progress on nuclear deal but IAEA should verify it: US

Friday, 15 January 2016 5:11 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 15 January 2016 5:40 PM ]

US Press Secretary Josh Earnest speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 8, 2016. (AFP photo)

The administration of US President Barack Obama says Iran has made important progress in its effort to implement the nuclear agreement, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should verify it.

"We want to make sure they don't cut any corners," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told a news briefing on Friday.

He said Iran would receive sanctions relief after the IAEA confirms that Tehran has complied with the agreement reached between the Islamic Republican and the P5+1 -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany -- on July 14, 2015, in Vienna, Austria.

Earnest said he had no update on the timing of the implementation of the nuclear pact.

A day earlier, however, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said that the implementation day of the nuclear deal is “close.”

Kirby confirmed that Iran poured concrete into the central vessel of the Arak nuclear reactor in compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, had told him the core had been removed and would be filled with concrete and destroyed.

The removal of the reactor’s core is crucial for the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement.

The United States appears set to lift illegal sanctions on Iran, imposed against the Islamic Republic based on unfounded accusations over Tehran's nuclear energy program. Easing of sanctions could come as soon as this month.

US officials have for years accused Iran of using its nuclear energy program for non-civilian purposes, claims that have never been verified despite exhaustive and unprecedented inspection regime.

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