The State Department is disputing a report that Iran has sought to obtain nuclear technology since signing a deal aimed at curbing its nuclear program last summer.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency reported this week that the Islamic Republic has been trying to acquire illegal nuclear technology at a “high level” throughout 2015.
State Department spokesman John Kirby rejected those findings Friday.
“We have no information to indicate that Iran has procured any materials in violation of the JCPOA,” Kirby told reporters, using an acronym for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or nuclear agreement. “Germany … is not suggesting that Iran has violated its JCPOA commitments.”
Kirby claimed that the document did not mention whether Iran’s attempts to obtain nuclear technology occurred after the nuclear deal, despite reporting to the contrary. The deal was struck in July 2015 and took effect in October.
He also said that the report spoke “mainly” of Iran’s missile program.
“It covers all of 2015 and makes no distinction about whether the reported activities occurred prior to the JCPOA coming into effect,” he said.
While the report does describe Iran’s growing missile program, it also underscores the program’s nuclear potential, stating that the missiles could possibly “serve to deliver nuclear weapons.” Iran is encouraged not to launch ballistic missiles under a U.N. Security Council resolution, but has done so anyway.
Kirby would not say whether the German report showed that Iran was violating the “spirit” of the JCPOA.
“I’m not an expert on what the spirit is regarding a certain deal,” Kirby said. “The deal has never been about trust. It’s never been about spirit. It’s never been about how we feel about Iran.”
President Barack Obama criticized Iran in April for following the “letter” of the nuclear agreement but not the “spirit.”
“Iran so far has followed the letter of the agreement, but the spirit of the agreement involves Iran also sending signals to the world community and business that it is not going to be engaging in a range of provocative actions that might scare business off,” he said.
