Twelve years of investigations into Iran's development of nuclear weapons came to close Tuesday with a consensus agreement among 35-nations to adopt a report that says activities for developing atomic capabilities for military use were halted in Iran in 2009.
Scrutiny of Iran's nuclear ambitions is a possibility in the future, but for now the report, upon which hinges continued economic sanctions, says that Iran studied the question of developing a nuclear bomb before 2003 and that some activity persisted until 2009. It also says that no evidence was found to support the claim of continued activity since then.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “we welcome the closure of the investigation of Iran's past nuclear activities.” The report, he said, backs Iran's claim of operating a “peaceful … nuclear program.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of directors accepted the report titled, "Final Assessment on Past and Present Outstanding Issues Regarding Iran's Nuclear Program,” that was presented for approval by Director General Yukiya Amano.
Amano said the report verified Iran's efforts to look into nuclear weapons “did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities.”
The adoption of the report was given a muted response among the nations that reached a diplomatic compromise with Iran in July which is set to end economic sanctions against the Middle Eastern state if the Iran's claims were verified by the United Nations. That deal was put together by what is known as E3/EU+3, as it includes China, Russia, the United States, Germany, Britain and France, as well as the European Union.