IAEA: Iran has diluted its 20 percent enriched uranium stockpile

WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- Iran has complied with all of its commitments and has reduced its enriched uranium stockpile, according to a monthly update from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

When announcing on Friday that Iranian nuclear negotiations were being extended to November, Kerry applauded the success of the Joint Plan of Action to curb Iran's nuclear program.

"Since its implementation, Iran has complied with its obligations to neutralize its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium; cap its stockpile of 5 percent enriched uranium; not install advanced centrifuges; not install or test new components at its Arak reactor; and submit to far more frequent inspections of its facilities."

Two days after announcing the extension, Kerry noted in an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday that "Iran will further reduce the capacity of that enriched uranium to be used by turning it into fuel for the research reactor, which makes it almost impossible to be used in a weapon. In addition, we have inspectors in their facilities every single day. In addition to that, they have not been able to move forward on the Arak plutonium heavy water reactor."

A senior U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously on background, explained that "25 percent, a quarter of the 20 percent enriched uranium oxide will be converted into fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor." Once converted to fuel plates, he underlined, "Iran would find it quite difficult and time-consuming to use this 20 percent enriched material for further enrichment."

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.