PHOTO: US President Barack Obama

The US said on Sunday that suspension of sanctions on Iran is imminent, as the July 14 nuclear deal entered a new phase with “Adoption Day”.

The delayed approval of the agreement by the Iranian Parliament and Guardian Council last week paved the way for the implementation phase of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The Rouhani Government is hoping that the International Atomic Energy Agency will verify Iranian compliance by mid-December.

On Sunday, Washington approved conditional sanctions waivers, although US officials cautioned they would not take effect until the IAEA issued its confirmation. Secretary of State John Kerry said, “These waivers will not take effect until Implementation Day, after Iran has completed all necessary nuclear steps, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

Still, the Administration announced progress in high-profile statements. President Obama said, “Today marks an important milestone toward preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensuring its nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful going forward.”

His memorandum to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Commerce, and Energy commanded, “I hereby direct you to take all necessary steps to give effect to the US commitments with respect to sanctions described in [the JCPOA].”

“Adoption Day” was set at 90 days after the UN Security Council’s endorsement of the deal, but it had been threatened by the dispute within the Iranian system over passage. The stalemate was broken last week after the Supreme Leader’s office intervened, with Parliament approving the deal on Tuesday and the Guardian Council following a day later.

See Iran Daily, October 17: Implementation of Nuclear Deal Begins

Tehran matched the US statements with its announcement of accession to the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which sets stricter requirements on the Iranian nuclear program.

The Government said the accession was subject to Parliamentary approval, but Atomic Energy Organization head Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran would begin work to fulfill commitments at the Natanz and Fordoo uranium enrichment plants.

The US and European powers have long sought Iran’s adoption of the Additional Protocol. Tehran voluntarily observed the provisions from 2003 to 2005, but withdrew when talks stalked with the “European Three” of Britain, France, and Germany.

Iran and 5+1 Begin Implementation Talks in Vienna

Delegations from Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) will begin discussions of implementation on Monday in Vienna.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi will lead the Iranian team.

The JCPOA Commission will be briefed by experts who opened consideration of technical aspects on Saturday.

In a joint statement, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the process:

All sides remain strongly committed to ensuring that implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action can start as soon as possible. To this end, we will make all the necessary preparations.