Washington: The US and its allies on Monday relaxed a range of economic sanctions against Iran, allowing countries like India not to reduce oil imports from the Islamic republic, after Tehran began implementing a deal to curb its contentious nuclear programme.
"In reciprocation for Iran`s concrete actions, the US and its P5+1 partners - the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China, as well as the European Union -?will today follow through on our commitment to begin to provide the modest relief agreed to with Iran," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
Carney`s remarks came soon after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has taken the initial specific steps as part of the Joint Plan of Action between the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China) and Iran.
"As a result, implementation of the Joint Plan of Action will begin today," he said.
As a result of the Iranian action, the Obama Administration has taken steps to pause efforts to further reduce Iranian crude oil exports, allowing the six current customers of Iranian oil including India to maintain their purchases at current reduced levels for the next six months, said the State Department.
"Today`s events have made clear that we have an unprecedented opportunity to see if we can resolve this most pressing national security concern peacefully. That remains our goal, and that is our challenge ahead," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
"As a result of Iran`s actions, today the US and the EU will begin implementing the limited sanctions relief we committed to under the Joint Plan of Action as well. For the US, this involves a variety of specific steps, including the issuance of the necessary statutory waivers and guidance on the non-enforcement of the elements of the Executive Orders associated with the sanctions requiring relief," she said.
"The necessary waivers have been approved by Secretary (of State John)Kerry and will be notified to Congress today," she said, adding that the Iranian actions significant steps in their efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"We have today decided to begin the implementation of a six-month phase of initial confidence-building measures aimed at addressing international concerns about Iran`s nuclear activities," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
Describing this as an important first step, Ashton acknowledged more work will be needed to fully address the international community`s concerns regarding the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme.
"We aim to start negotiations about a comprehensive solution with Iran in February," Ashton said.
Carney said the IAEA has verified in a written report and subsequent briefing for P5+1 technical experts, that Iran has, among other things, stopped producing 20 per cent enriched uranium, has disabled the configuration of the centrifuge cascades Iran has been using to produce it, has begun diluting its existing stockpile of 20 per cent enriched uranium, and has not installed additional centrifuges at Natanz or Fordow.
"These actions represent the first time in nearly a decade that Iran has verifiably enacted measures to halt progress on its nuclear program, and roll it back in key respects," he said.
Iran has also begun to provide the IAEA with increased transparency into its nuclear programme, through more frequent and intrusive inspections and the expanded provision of information to the IAEA, Carney said, adding that taken together, these concrete actions represent an important step forward.
Though the US and its partners have relaxed sanctions, Carney said they would continue their aggressive enforcement of the sanctions measures that will remain in place throughout this six-month period.
"Following the actions taken today, the P5+1, EU, and Iran will also begin the process of negotiating a long-term, comprehensive solution that seeks to address the international community`s concerns about Iran`s nuclear program," he said.
The US remains committed to using strong and disciplined diplomacy to reach a peaceful resolution that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Carney said.
The Obama Administration is working with its partners and Iran to establish financial channels to enable Iran to make payments for humanitarian transactions and medical expenses, university tuition payments for Iranian students studying abroad, and the payment of Iran`s UN obligations, the State Department statement said.
The Administration will continue to fully enforce all sanctions not explicitly suspended in this first step, including the comprehensive US embargo and sanctions affecting Iran`s ability to sell oil and access the international financial system, an official statement said.
"The coming negotiation to reach a comprehensive agreement that addresses all of the international community`s concerns will be even more complex, and we go into it clear-eyed about the difficulties ahead," State Department Spokesperson Psaki said.
