TEHRAN - Richard Nephew tells the Tehran Times that the move by the IAEA board of governors, which has closed the PMD file, the path has been facilitated for the implementation of the nuclear agreement struck between Iran and great powers.

Following is the full text of the interview with Nephew who served as the principal deputy coordinator for sanctions policy against Iran at the U.S. State Department:
Q: How do you assess the IAEA board of governors’ resolution on Iran which closed PMD?
A: I believe the resolution meets its expectations, closing as a formal matter consideration of the PMD issue but emphasizing that Iran’s obligations to cooperate with the IAEA going forward remain unchanged. I believe, at this stage, that Iran can now restart its implementation of the nuclear commitments it made in the JCPOA, with an eye toward achieving “Implementation Day” soon.
Q: The board voted in favor of resolution to close the PMD file using the term “close consideration” in article 9 of the resolution. Does it mean that the past activities of Iran will not be assessed by IAEA any more?
A: I do not believe so. The IAEA Board has closed consideration of the formal PMD issue. But, the implementation of the Additional Protocol carries with it an obligation to answer the IAEA’s questions about a country’s nuclear program. These questions can cover the past and current activities, and must if a Broader Conclusion is to be reached about the whole nature of that nuclear program. This is for all countries. Iran has agreed to implement the AP and to cooperate with the IAEA. If Iran is serious about changing the nature of international perception of its nuclear program, then this must start with continued cooperation with the IAEA. Some issues may come out during the IAEA’s normal activities -- as they did in South Korea, for example, in 2004 -- and so long as there are no unresolved questions about Iran’s ongoing nuclear work, this should not be an issue.
Q: Now the IAEA should focus on the implementation of JCPOA. What is the mechanism to this end?
A: Well, it starts with Iranian resumption of dismantlement activities. Once Iran informs the IAEA that it has completed something, the IAEA must verify it by visiting the locations, applying seals to parts, installing cameras and other tools of IAEA monitoring. As the Director General said, this may take weeks in some instances, less time in others