Amid tensions over implementation, Iran and the 5+1 Powers have reviewed the July 2015 nuclear deal.
Officials met on Tuesday in Vienna to consider both Iran’s compliance with the terms and issues around the lifting of US-led sanctions.
The Wall Street Journal said Iran agreed to new measures to decrease its stockpile of enriched uranium below 300 kg (660 pounds). However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the report and insisted that Iran “will able to enrich more materials”.
Araghchi said that Iran had decided not to trigger a dispute resolution process over the US Congress’s 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, even though he maintained that the extension “is a violation of America’s commitments under the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]”.
Iranian State media emphasized the Joint Commission statement that “all sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to continued full and effective implementation of the JCPOA”, and pointed to the Commission’s attention to “the sanctions lifting commitments”.
The agreed statement from Iran and the 5+1 (US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China) “recognized the United States’ assurance that extension of the Iran Sanctions Act does not affect in any way the sanctions lifting Iran receives under the deal or the ability of companies to do business in Iran consistent with the JCPOA”.
While European sanctions have been removed since January 2016, the US is maintaining some financial restrictions. In addition, the risk of punishment by American authorities has hindered some European companies and banks from completing finance, trade, and investment deals with the Islamic Republic.
Iranian concerns over the process were galvanized by last month’s Congressional adoption of the Iran Sanctions Act’s extension. The Supreme Leader led warning of retaliatory measures.
Araqchi said after talks, “I think the joint commission took Iran’s concern very seriously.”
