IAEA Closes Iranian Nuclear Weapons Probe

“All the indicators for the existence of a clandestine nuclear weapons development program in Iran … are still valid”.

“This resolution allows the Board to turn its focus now to the full implementation and verification of [the nuclear deal]”, Kerry said in a statement, “which prohibits the resumption of such nuclear weapons-related activities and provides comprehensive tools for deterring and detecting any renewed nuclear weapons work”.

“The Panel assesses that the launch of the Emad has a range of not less than 1,000 km with a payload of at least 1,000 kg and that Emad was also a launch “using ballistic missile technology”, the report said.

The U.N. report also claims that Iran violated the U.N. ballistic missile ban with launches in 2012 and 2013.

Amano emphasized that his latest report entitled Final Assessment on Past and Present Outstanding Issues regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program was “factual, technically sound and balanced”.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that the United Nations nuclear agency’s decision to close the books on a decade-long probe of allegations that Tehran worked on nuclear weapons is a “big success”. The IAEA could have recommended delaying Implementation Day until Iran demonstrated substantial compliance with its obligation to explain its past illicit nuclear activities.

ANNE BARKER: In a landmark report, the nuclear agency concludes Iran did carry out coordinated activities to develop a nuclear weapon before the end of 2003 – and that some activity took place after then.

“The decision by the Board of Governors today… will open a new chapter for cooperation between Iran and the agency”, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, told reporters after the resolution was passed by consensus unopposed.

A United Nations council admitted Iran broke a security council resolution when it tested a ballistic missile in October, says Reuters.

Over the past months, both Iran and the powers have taken big steps to make the JCPOA practical, and the remaining measures will hopefully be completed by both sides in the coming weeks, he said.

The move is seen as a key step towards lifting UN, EU and USA sanctions. “Finally, after 12 years… the issue of military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program now belongs to history”, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said, according to Tasnim news agency.

Under that deal, most sanctions on Iran will be lifted in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. The Security Council panel could not reach a conclusion on whether Iran participated in a “willful violation” when it conducted the missile test and other resolution violations – including Iran’s attempt to gather Grade 5 titanium alloy bars earlier this year.