Iran implements nuclear transparency steps: IAEA

A new quarterly report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran’s implementation of transparency steps regarding its nuclear energy program.

In a Friday report, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said Iran has implemented three of five transparency steps that it was supposed to take by August 25 in line with a roadmap agreed with the UN nuclear monitoring body in November 2013.

Iran cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium to about 7.8 tons in August from 8.5 tons in May, it said.

The report confirmed that Iran has stopped the enrichment of UF6 above the 5-percent level, and no longer has any stockpile of UF6 enriched up to 20-percent.

No new facilities have been installed at Arak Heavy Water reactor, and there has been no fuel test or production process at the site, it added.

The report also noted that Iran continues to provide the agency with controlled access to centrifuge assembly units and stockpile facilities.

The IAEA, however, said that Iran has been slow in providing the Agency with information about its past nuclear activities, including alleged experiments on explosives that could be used for military purposes and studies related to calculating nuclear explosive yields. Iran has repeatedly denied accusations of military dimensions in its nuclear activities.

The agency noted that Tehran’s engagement is helping the supervisory body gain a better understanding of the country’s energy nuclear program.

Meanwhile, Iran and the United States have completed a second day of talks over Tehran’s nuclear energy program in Geneva.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, who leads the Iranian team of negotiators in Geneva, has described the discussions with US officials as “constructive.”