The State Department on Wednesday refused to concede that Iran violated its nuclear agreement with the U.S. and other countries by stockpiling more heavy water than allowed under the deal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency concluded that Iran had stockpiled heavy water, a material needed for nuclear reactors, at a level that exceeds the amount they’re allowed to maintain under the terms of the deal. The IAEA made that determination in a Nov. 2 report, which Reuters revealed on Wednesday.
But State Department spokesman Mark Toner declined to say whether Iran was in violation of the deal.
“Yes, they exceeded the allowable amount of heavy water that they were permitted,” Toner said. “I’m not sure whether that constitutes a formal violation, to be honest with you.”
Toner suggested that Iran’s decision not to hide the excess heavy water was a mitigating factor. “It’s important to note that Iran made no effort to hide this,” Toner said. “They’re taking immediate steps to address it.”
Despite this problem, Toner said President Obama’s commitment to the Iran nuclear deal remains rock solid, even in the face of criticism from President-elect Donald Trump.
“The Iran agreement has already been implemented and being implemented, of course,” Toner told reporters. “We’re not in any way, shape or form going to relent from that effort.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, reportedly told his cabinet team that the United States can’t break the deal even if Trump wants to. “Iran’s understanding in the nuclear deal was that the accord was not concluded with one country or government, but was approved by a resolution of the U.N. Security Council, and there is no possibility that it can be changed by a single government,” he said.
Trump has vowed to enforce the terms of the Iran deal very strictly. “I’ve taken over some bad contracts,” Trump said in August. “But I’m really good at looking at a contract and finding things within a contract that, even if they’re bad, I would police that contract so tough that they don’t have a chance. As bad as the contract is, I will be so tough on that contract.”
