IAEA already in posession of data on centrifuges under JCPOA : Iran

Iran says it has already provided the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the data on the specifications of its centrifuges and rotor tubes as agreed under last year’s nuclear deal, rejecting reported new demands for such information.

Spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi made the remarks following a Friday report by the Associated Press about a draft European Union statement demanding that Tehran share full details of its manufacture of centrifuge parts with the UN.

The text will be delivered next week at a board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), AP added.

Kamalvandi, however, said based on the July 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), “Tehran was required to provide (the IAEA) with a series of details about its centrifuges and rotor tubes; and we have already done that.”

“Of course, one or two member states of the European Union may have their own view points, which are not the definitive opinion of the entire bloc,” he added.

He also described the AP report as “mere propaganda” aimed at undermining the positive atmosphere created by the IAEA reports confirming Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA.

The AEOI official further pointed to the latest regular report issued by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano earlier this month, saying it confirms Tehran has offered the required data to the UN nuclear agency.

“We agreed from day one over the amount of information needed on our centrifuges and rotor tubes,” said Kamalvandi.

Additionally on Saturday, the AEOI released a statement, saying that a media outlet, which has a history of spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic, is seeking to create a negative anti-Iran atmosphere by publishing reports attributed to the EU.

The latest report by the IAEA, which is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the nuclear deal, said Tehran has not exceeded the limits set in the accord on its low-enriched uranium and heavy water stockpile, Reuters reported.

According to the Associated Press, the report also said Iran had started building rotor tubes for centrifuges.

“Related technical discussions” with Tehran on the rotor tube manufacturing were underway, AP cited the confidential report as saying.

The JCPOA does not prevent Tehran from manufacturing such parts, but has placed certain restrictions.

The IAEA monitors how many rotor tubes are being built and for what models of centrifuges to make sure they are being produced only in quantities and for machines agreed under the JCPOA.

The nuclear accord was inked between Tehran and the P5+1 group of world powers, namely Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany on July 14, 2015.

The deal, which took effect in January, ended decades of economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

In April, Amano hailed Iran for respecting the nuclear accord, saying the Islamic Republic has even gone beyond its obligations.