Iran Press/Iran News: The statement, a copy of which was published on the International Energy Agency's website, said that the IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reaffirm the spirit of mutual trust that led to the issuance of a joint statement in Tehran in August, 2020.
The statement added: The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, in accordance with the "Law on Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect the Interests of the Iranian Nation" announced to the International Atomic Energy Agency that from February 23, 2021, voluntary acts under JCPOA will be stopped.
The joint statement declares that Iran would continue to implement the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement as before and without restrictions.
An interim bilateral technical agreement was also reached, allowing the Agency to continue its essential verification and monitoring activities (as stated in the attached technical list) for three months.
On December 1, 2020, Iran's Parliament passed a law obliging the government to limit cooperation with the IAEA if US sanctions continue, and also enabling the Iranian government to take further steps to reduce its obligations under the nuclear deal.
According to Article 6, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is obliged, in accordance with Articles 36 and 37 of the JCPOA, to suspend regulatory access beyond the Additional Protocol under the JCPOA within 2 months of the adoption of this law."
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations, submitted a letter to the IAEA Director-General last Monday regarding suspending Iran's voluntary actions under the JCPOA.
In this regard, the Director-General of the IAEA traveled to Tehran on Saturday night to meet with Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranian head of Atomic Energy Organization, to discuss the latest developments in Iran's nuclear activities in the context of Iran's reduction JCPOA commitments. He also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. 219
