UN watchdog: Iran is complying with nuclear deal

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog reportedly affirmed in a confidential report that Iran has remained within the restrictions imposed on the country by a nuclear deal Tehran reached with the U.S. and other major powers in 2015.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has stayed within the caps imposed on the amount of uranium it can enrich and the amount of enriched uranium it can stock, according to Reuters.

{mosads}The report echoed that of a similar statement in May, which said Iran could do more to facilitate cooperation with inspectors but did not present the IAEA with any cause for concern.

“Timely and proactive cooperation by Iran in providing such access facilitates implementation of the Additional Protocol and enhances confidence,” said the report, according to Reuters, which added that it was distributed to IAEA member states.

President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-era agreement in May, causing many to question the deal’s viability without American support, particularly after the White House reimposed biting sanctions.

Trump suggested that economic pressure would bring Iran back to the table to negotiate a new nuclear deal, tweeting in August, “Iran, and it’s economy, is going very bad, and fast! I will meet, or not meet, it doesn’t matter – it is up to them!”

Iran, and it’s economy, is going very bad, and fast! I will meet, or not meet, it doesn’t matter – it is up to them!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, poured cold water on that prospect Thursday with a tweet of his own, saying, “With current brazen U.S. officials—who have unsheathed their swords against Iranians—what negotiations can we have? Thus no negotiations with any U.S. official at any level will be held.”

Negotiations with former U.S. officials, who at least saved some face, bore such results! With current brazen U.S. officials—who have unsheathed their swords against Iranians—what negotiations can we have? Thus no negotiations with any U.S. official at any level will be held.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) August 30, 2018