Iran compliant, agency reports

Concern cited on weapon site

WASHINGTON -- Iran is complying broadly with agreements on curtailing its nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Thursday in its first update since last month's deal between Tehran and world powers. It noted concern, however, with an Iranian military site where nuclear-weapons work may have occurred more than a decade ago.

The United Nations agency said Iran's current level of uranium enrichment, nuclear research and development and other activity is in line with its declarations. The 21-page report covers Iran's nuclear program in the run-up to the landmark accord on July 14 and its first steps toward implementing that agreement. A copy of the document was obtained by The Associated Press.

The agency noted that it received information from Iran about allegations of past nuclear-weapons work Aug. 15.

But it offered reservations about the military base of Parchin. Western intelligence agencies say Iran used the site for explosives tests and other experiments related to the development of nuclear weapons. Iran argues the evidence is fraudulent; the nuclear agency is supposed to clear up the allegations by mid-December.

The agency said it recently observed through satellite imagery the presence of vehicles, equipment and probable construction materials at the site. And it warned, "The activities that have taken place at this location since February 2012 are likely to have undermined the agency's ability to conduct effective verification."

The U.N. probe runs parallel to the much bigger nuclear pact Iran reached with the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. That deal potentially will provide Iran hundreds of billions of dollars in relief from international sanctions in exchange for 15 years of strict controls on its nuclear program.

Congress plans to vote on a resolution of disapproval Sept. 17, which Obama has vowed to veto if its passed.

In an effort to sway undecided lawmakers, lobbying groups and nonprofits have taken to the airwaves with ads. One unexpected area inundated with the ads has been North Dakota, home to Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a centrist Democrat who hasn't said whether she will back the agreement.

In Bismarck, the ads started on NBC affiliate KFYR-TV on July 17, three days after the Iran accord was announced. More than 960 spots have run on broadcast TV in Fargo and Bismarck through Monday, according to data compiled by Kantar Media's CMAG, which tracks political advertising.

J Street, a liberal nonprofit that supports the Iran agreement, began buying ad space in Fargo on Aug. 12, CMAG said.

Nationally, 14 groups have spent an estimated $14 million to run about 24,600 TV spots arguing for and against the Iran agreement in 55 local broadcast markets and national cable, according to CMAG.

The largest buyer has been Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran, which was created to oppose the Iran deal by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The group has spent about $9 million buying more than 15,500 TV ads in 34 local markets and on national cable.

Agreement crafted

Meanwhile, the European Union is working on a political agreement that would set the stage for future energy deals in Iran, two people with direct knowledge of the talks said.

The agreement could be signed as soon as November, they said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private. The accord would pave the way for any talks on specific contracts in the future and would come only after the nuclear deal reached in July between Iran and six world powers enters into force, the people said.

The EU is seeking new supplies of energy to reduce its dependence on imports from Russia, which provides 27 percent of the gas consumed in the region. In a policy paper last year, the European Commission, the executive arm of the 28-nation EU, said countries including Iran could contribute to that goal.

The deal would cover five areas: oil and natural gas contracts, renewables and energy efficiency, power markets, energy infrastructure, and investing directly in Iran's energy industry, the people said.

In Tehran, phone calls to both the government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht and the public relations office at the oil ministry went unanswered on Thursday, before the weekend started in Iran.

In Brussels, the European Commission said in a reply to questions that it "will explore areas of bilateral cooperation including on energy" once the nuclear deal is in effect. For now, it's focusing on preparatory work for starting a dialogue on energy with Iran "when the conditions are right."

The EU banned Iranian oil imports in 2012.

EU Energy and Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete is planning to meet the European oil and gas industry officials in Brussels next week. Later in September, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, is scheduled to meet Iranian officials at the United Nations general assembly in New York. The agenda includes work on energy cooperation.

Information for this article was contributed by Bradley Klapper of The Associated Press and by Ewa Krukowska and Ladane Nasseri of Bloomberg News.

A Section on 08/28/2015

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