IAEA confirms Iran continuing to meet nuclear reduction mandate

VIENNA, April 18 (UPI) -- International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano has submitted his report to the IAEA's Board of Governors regarding the status of Iran's compliance in reducing its nuclear program.

The IAEA report, which has been reviewed by the U.S. Department of State, confirms that Iran has diluted half its enriched uranium to 20 percent and is in the process of converting the other half, as mandated by the Joint Plan of Action.

"Based on this confirmation and consistent with commitments of the United States made under the Joint Plan of Action," State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said Thursday, "the Department of Treasury took the necessary steps pursuant to the JPOA to facilitate the release of a $450 million installment of Iran’s frozen funds."

Delegates from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the United States -- known as the E3+3 or P5+1 -- met with Iranian officials throughout 2013 to negotiate a cessation or reduction in Iran's nuclear program. The JPOA was signed on November 24, 2013, and went into effect on January 20.

[State Department]