Iran to start destroying some enriched uranium when nuclear deal begins on January 20

Posted 1 hour 5 minutes ago

A deal between Iran and six major powers, intended to pave the way to a solution to a long standoff over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, will come into force on January 20.

“Beginning January 20th, Iran will for the first time start eliminating its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium and dismantling some of the infrastructure that makes such enrichment possible,” a statement from the White House said.

US president Barack Obama says he is under “no illusions” as to how hard it will be to reach a comprehensive resolution.

Under the deal reached in November, Iran agreed to curb parts of its nuclear drive for six months in exchange for receiving modest relief from international sanctions and a promise by Western powers not to impose new measures against its hard-hit economy.

Such relief would include suspension of some restrictions on trade in gold, precious metals and petrochemicals, and in the auto industry.

The deal allows third-country purchases of Iranian oil to remain at current levels. About $4.6 billion in oil revenues will also be allowed to be transferred to Iran.

Western nations and Israel have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program, charges denied by Tehran.

Senior diplomats meeting in Geneva have been working on how to implement the deal.

US secretary of state John Kerry says the next stage in talks will be “very difficult”.

Mr Obama added in the White House statement: “We have made concrete progress. I welcome this important step forward, and we will now focus on the critical work of pursuing a comprehensive resolution that addresses our concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

“For the sake of our national security and the peace and security of the world, now is the time to give diplomacy a chance to succeed.”

AFP/Reuters