Nuclear security

UN atomic watchdog ends investigation of Iran’s weapons design

The UN atomic watchdog has formally closed a long-running investigation of Iran’s past work on warhead design, and pledged its support to helping implement a comprehensive nuclear deal Tehran agreed in July with major powers.

The decision by the 35-nation board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency removes a hurdle to implementation of the July deal, under whichIran accepted strict curbs on its civil nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

Iranian officials say they believe they can fulfil the country’s other obligations – dismantling uranium enrichment centrifuges, removing the core of a heavy-water reactor and drastically reducing the stockpile of low-enriched uranium – in the next few weeks, opening the way to broad lifting of international sanctions.