Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Following closure of Iran’s PMD case, the Islamic Republic has accelerated implementation of its obligations under the nuclear deal reached with the world powers.

The IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors decided on December 15 to end its investigation of Iran's past, passing a resolution closing the matter by consensus. The closure of the Possible Military Dimensions to Iran’s nuclear activities was required for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

James Dorsey, the senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies told AzerNews that it’s one more step in implementation of the nuclear agreement and as such not a surprise.

Dorsey said all parties are eager to see the accord executed and are unlikely to put obstacles in the way even if there will be a continuous testing of boundaries as with Iran’s recent missile test.

The decision is expected to put an end to suspicions on Iran’s nuclear energy program and give way for complete implementation of the JCPOA.

The expert said it certainly is one more step towards implementation but will not assuage those like Israel and Republicans in the United States, who were and are opposed to the agreement.

Closure of Iran’s PMD case also raises hopes for soonest removal of the international sanctions imposed against the country.

Shortly before the adoption of the resolution, Iranian officials voiced expectation on lifting of sanctions in three weeks after IAEA’s closing of Iran’s PMD case.

While, Iranians are hopeful for removal of sanctions in January, others consider that it can take much time to fully remove sanctions.

Dorsey said Iranian President Rouhani is pushing for the earlier the better as he needs to demonstrate in his battle with Iranian hard liners that the agreement is producing positive results.

But, he believes that sanctions relief will take time.

The IAEA resolution brought an end to a 12-year probe into Tehran’s nuclear program, acknowledging that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activity is peaceful – a key step towards lifting international sanctions on the country.

Under the JCPOA, clinched last July, Iran should redesign and rebuild a modernized heavy water research reactor in Arak in order to avoid the production of weapons-grade plutonium.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said Iran will remove all of its active centrifuges within the coming week. He said after IAEA decision they started removing active centrifuges and they will be dismantled within the next week.

Also a basic deal is expected to be signed for removing the core of Arak heavy water reactor, which was one of the disagreements during the nuclear negotiation on Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Iran expects the JCPOA to be implemented in the coming month, enabling the country to trade through international financial systems, receive $100 billion of its frozen assets, and resume oil trade on international markets.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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