U.N.: Iran adhering to nuclear deal with world powers

ISTANBUL — The U.N. watchdog tasked with monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities certified Thursday that the country remains in compliance with a 2015 accord struck with world powers, even as the Trump administration has threatened to withdraw from the deal.

In its quarterly report to member states, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran’s stock of low-enriched uranium, which is used for peaceful purposes, is in line with the nuclear pact, as is the number of centrifuges used for enrichment.

The report, which is confidential but was seen by multiple news agencies, also stated that Iran has “not pursued the construction” of its heavy water reactor at Arak, which would give it the capability to produce weapons-grade plutonium.

Iran’s envoy to the agency, Reza Najafi, hailed the report as reflective of the watchdog’s “unbiased and professional” work, Iranian media reported. The State Department also said in a statement that the U.S. has “full confidence in the agency and its highly skilled and professional inspectors.”

The document published Thursday is the watchdog’s eighth certification of Iran’s compliance since the deal took effect in January 2016. It comes just one week after the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, visited the agency in Vienna to convey the administration’s concerns about ensuring Iran’s strict compliance with the agreement. The administration has placed the accord, which was negotiated by the Obama White House, under interagency review. It says it does not do enough to address issues like Iran’s ballistic missile development or human rights violations.