No 'credible' proof of Iran nuclear weapons program after 2009: IAEA

The UN's nuclear agency has reiterated that it has "no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009," citing its assessments from 2015.

In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) referred to the so-called possible military dimensions (PMD) case in Iran’s nuclear program, saying that the agency's Board of Governors had "declared that its consideration of this issue was closed" after it was presented with a report in December 2015.

The IAEA’s Board of Governors voted overwhelmingly in December 2015, months after a nuclear deal was signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, in favor of a resolution that closed the PMD.

The IAEA spokesman further said, "In line with standard IAEA practice, the IAEA evaluates all [nuclear] safeguards-relevant information available to it. However, it is not the practice of the IAEA to publicly discuss issues related to any such information."

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Since the JCPOA Implementation Day, the IAEA has been monitoring Iran’s compliance with its nuclear-related commitments under the nuclear deal and has consistently verified the Islamic Republic’s compliance.

Read more:

• IAEA access to military sites not part of JCPOA: Nuclear spokesman
• IAEA chief warns of 'great loss' if nuclear deal collapses
• Iran says US non-compliance with JCPOA undermining nuclear deal
• IAEA once again verifies Iran's compliance with nuclear deal
• Case of inspection of Iran’s military sites closed forever: AEOI

The statement came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a televised address in which he accused Iran of violating the JCPOA.

The hawkish Israeli premier claimed that he had new "proof" via captured documents that Iran had developed a nuclear weapons plan, which could be activated at any time.

Netanyahu's accusations came as US President Donald Trump considers whether to pull out of the 2015 nuclear accord.

Trump is a stern critic of the nuclear deal, reached under his predecessor Barack Obama, and has repeatedly warned that he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

He said on January 12 that he wanted America's European allies to use the 120-day period before sanctions relief again came up for renewal to agree to tougher measures and new conditions; otherwise Washington would pull out of the deal.

Immediately after Netanyahu's claims, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that the Israeli prime minister was playing a baseless childish, naive game.

PressTV-Netanyahu playing baseless childish games: Iran

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is playing a baseless childish, naive game.

"What we saw from Netanyahu was nothing but a childish and ridiculous show," Araqchi told Press TV on Monday, adding that it was also a repeat of Netanyahu's speeches in the past.   

The EU foreign policy chief also on Monday said what the Israeli premier tried to present as documents on Iran’s “secret” nuclear work fails to question Tehran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, and that any such claims should solely be assessed by the IAEA.

PressTV-EU tells Israel to take claims on Iran nuclear work to IAEA

The EU foreign policy chief says IAEA's verification mechanisms certify Iran's full compliance with the deal and that Netanyahu's remarks do not call into question Iran's post-2015 commitments.

“What I have seen from the first reports is that Prime Minister Netanyahu has not put into question Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA commitments, meaning post-2015 nuclear commitments,” Federica Mogherini said.

Read more:

• Zarif likens Netanyahu to 'the boy who cried wolf'
• Israel sees survival reliant on demonizing others: Iran
• Iran to return to pre-JCPOA conditions if nuclear deal fails: AEOI

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