 Iran hails support for nuclear deal against US Tehran (AFP) Sept 2, 2020 - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday hailed the show of unity by parties to a 2015 nuclear deal, after they defeated US efforts to restore international sanctions. Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia -- dubbed the "4+1" -- are struggling to save the accord after the United States withdrew from it in 2018. Washington unilaterally reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic. Iran has stepped up its nuclear activities in the past year in retaliation for Washington's pullout from the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. "Fortunately, yesterday in Vienna, the 4+1 clearly stated that they stand by the JCPOA and that America does not have the right to misuse it," Rouhani said in remarks to the weekly cabinet meeting broadcast on state television. "They have not only pulled out of the JCPOA but also punished whoever has abided by it." Rouhani called Washington's drive to reimpose UN sanctions against Iran "futile and childish." European Union senior official Helga Schmid, who chaired the talks in Vienna, said the participants were "united in resolve to preserve" the nuclear agreement. Schmid said that the US cannot launch the process to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran using a Security Council resolution enshrining a deal they have abandoned. In a boost to Tuesday's talks, Iran last week agreed to let UN nuclear inspectors visit two sites suspected of having hosted undeclared activity in the early 2000s. Rouhani said he had spoken to the current Security Council president, Abdou Abarry of Niger, who he said "shared our views" that the US cannot reimpose international sanctions. The Security Council last week blocked the US bid to reimpose sanctions. Washington also failed to rally enough support to extend an arms embargo on Iran, that is scheduled to begin being rolled back from October. Rouhani hailed the pushbacks against the US as a "victory" for Tehran and a "disgraceful failure" for Washington.
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North Korea continues to operate some nuclear facilities and its activities remain "a cause for serious concern", the UN's nuclear watchdog said.
"The continuation of the DPRK's nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in its report to members, referring to North Korea's official name.
Among activities during the period since its last report in August 2019, the IAEA said there were "indications consistent with the production of enriched uranium" at the reported Yongbyon nuclear site.
The Vienna-based agency noted in its report, dated Tuesday but publicised on Wednesday, that it had not had access to the Yongbyon site or other locations in North Korea, basing its analysis on "information available to it", including open source information and satellite imagery.
It said because of the apparent absence of steam or cooling water discharge at Yongbyon, "it is almost certain that the reactor has remained shut down since early December 2018".
But there have been indications of ongoing reactor maintenance, including the regular presence of a probable carbon dioxide tanker, as well as of other related activities, it added.
The US government, which claims that Pyongyang has pulled back on its nuclear ambitions, warned on Tuesday that the country continues to acquire materials and equipment for its ballistic missile program.
In a joint advisory the Treasury, Commerce and State departments detailed North Korea's efforts to obtain everything from forestry trucks for missile launchers to common metals and materials that can be used in rockets, warning sellers to beware of sanctions on the country.
The advisory came as negotiations between the two countries aimed at halting North Korea's nuclear weapons progress, launched with fanfare at a 2018 summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, have remained at a standstill since early last year.
Nevertheless, two months before a presidential election, Trump and his campaign have claimed success in dealing with North Korea with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo applauding the president for "lowering the temperature".
IAEA members will gather later this month for their annual General Conference and regular board of governors meeting, which will consider the report.
In its report, the IAEA called on North Korea to "comply fully" with its international obligations and "cooperate promptly" with the agency.
In 2009, Pyongyang expelled IAEA inspectors from its Yongbyon nuclear site and has since refused to allow agency inspections on its territory.
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