Iran and world powers reach framework agreement on nuclear deal [some details]

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.650326

Iran and world powers reach framework agreement on nuclear deal

After eight days of negotiations, EU's Federica Mogherini and Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif announce 10-year deal, during which Iran's nuclear program will be limited and subject to strict oversight.

By Barak Ravid | Apr. 2, 2015 | 8:14 PM                    Haaretz.

EU's Mogherini, Iran's Zarif, Britain's Hammond and United States' Kerry prepare for announcement following nuclear talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, April 2, 2015. Photo by AP

The United States, Iran and five other world powers say they've reached an understanding that will direct them toward achieving a comprehensive nuclear agreement within three months.

Reading out a joint statement, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said a "decisive step" has been achieved. Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif read out the same statement in Farsi.

U.S. President Barack Obama making a statement on the breakthrough in the talks, says U.S. and allies reached historic nuclear deal with Iran. "It is a good deal." (watch below)

The main points of the framework agreement reached:

The agreement term: The agreement will be in effect for ten years during which there will be strict limitations and oversight of the Iranian nuclear program.

Uranium enrichment: Iran will continue to operate 6,000 out of the 19,000 centrifuges within its territory. 5,000 will continue functioning at the Natanz enrichment facility. 5,000 additional centrifuges located at Natanz will be collected and turned over to the IAEA. There will be no other enrichment facilities in Iran except for Natanz.

Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile: Most of Iran’s stockpile is enriched to the relatively low levels of between 3.5 and 5 percent. This stockpile, totaling roughly 8 tons, will be diluted to a level that cannot be used for making nuclear weapons, or will be taken out of the country.

The underground nuclear reactor at Fordo: This site will be converted from an enrichment facility into a nuclear physics research facility. 1,000 centrifuges will remain operational there, though not for enriching uranium. There will be no fissile nuclear material at the Fordo site.

The Arak heavy water reactor: The international community will assist Iran to refurbish the reactor so that it cannot produce material that could be used for nuclear weapons.

Oversight: The IAEA will receive access to all of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran will sign and ratify the additional protocol of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which stipulates that IAEA inspectors can conduct unrestricted random searches at any suspicious facility in Iran. The IAEA can use advanced technology to oversee Iranian activity.

Research and development: Iran can continue its research and development of advanced centrifuges during the ten years the agreement will be in effect in accordance with agreements it will reach with world powers.

Sanctions: After implementation of the agreement by Iran, all sanctions that applied on Iran by the U.S. and the EU on banking, insurance, and oil will be lifted immediately. The UN Security Council will make a decision that will replace six earlier decisions that leveled sanctions on Iran, and will decide which of the sanctions will remain in place.