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Iran suspends some of nuclear deal obligations

May 16, 2019 at 5:09 am

Uranium Conversion Facilities 03 February 2007 [AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI / Getty]

Tehran has started suspending some of its obligations under the nuclear deal “in fulfilment of the decision of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council,” Iranian media reported on Wednesday.

“The suspension of activities relating to the consideration of the strict ceiling on the production of enriched uranium as well as the unlimited production of heavy water in the Arak nuclear are among the programmes we are following seriously,” ISNA News Agency quoted an official source as saying.

The source pointed out that in the upcoming days an inspection visit to the Natanz Nuclear Facility in Isfahan and the Arak reactor will be arranged to inform the public opinion about the measures that have been implemented.

Last Wednesday, Iran announced the suspension of some of its commitments under the nuclear deal and threatened the implementation of additional measures, including the increase of the level of enriched uranium, within 60 days, in case the other countries do not implement their commitments.

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In 2015, Tehran signed an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme with the five permanent UN Security Council member states (Russia, the United States, France, China, and the UK).

The agreement stipulates Tehran’s commitment to abandon, for at least ten years, vital parts of its programme, to prevent it from acquiring the capability to develop nuclear weapons in return for lifting the sanctions imposed on it.

On 8 May 2018, US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal from the agreement and started imposing sanctions on Tehran.

Subsequently, on more than one occasion, officials from the other signatory countries announced their commitment to the deal, despite Washington’s withdrawal and Trump’s criticism.