IAEA Certifies Iran in Full Compliance with P5+1

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday, Jan. 16, confirmed that Iran was in full compliance with the P5+1 agreements, and, as the result, key sanctions are being lifted by the UN, the European Union, and the United States. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Vienna for the formal announcement, along with Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.  Hours before the formal announcement, the U.S. and Iran reached a prisoner swap agreement, under which five Americans held in prison in Iran were released in exchange for five Iranians imprisoned in America.

To meet the criteria for full compliance, Iran delivered 98 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium to Russia, removed the core from the Arak heavy water reactor, and dismantled 2/3 of the centrifuges at its enrichment facilities.

At a White House press conference on Sunday morning, President Obama also announced that the U.S. and Iran had reached an agreement resolving a legal dispute pending since 1981, over frozen Iranian assets.  President Obama claimed that the settlement saves the United States billions of dollars in interest payments and continuing legal costs.  In his 15-minute nationwide TV address, President Obama did acknowledge the pivotal role played by Secretary of State Kerry in negotiating the P5+1 deal and the prisoner exchange.

The initial lifting of sanctions against Iran comes less than a month before crucial national elections in Iran for the Majlis (national parliament) and the Consultative Assembly, the body that chooses the successor to Supreme Leader Khamenei.  Both President Rouhani and former President Rafsanjani are seeking seats on the Consultative Assembly.