The U.S. And The West Want Iran To Further Reduce Their Nuclear Stockpile

Inside the Arak heavy-water production facility in central Iran. Last week, the head of the U.N. atomic agency overseeing the nuclear deal called out Iran for exceeding the heavy-water cap for a second time this year. Photo: REUTERS

Wall Street Journal: U.S., Western Allies Push Iran on New Measures to Bolster Nuclear Deal

The initiative to reduce Iran’s enriched-uranium stockpile has taken on new urgency since Donald Trump’s election created new uncertainty around the accord

BRUSSELS—The U.S. and its Western allies are pressing Iran to take steps to sharply cut the amount of radioactive material it holds in a bid to shore up last year’s nuclear deal and discourage the incoming Trump administration from abandoning it, Western officials said.

The discussions about reducing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium started months ago, officials said, and are among a number of measures the Obama administration has been examining to fortify the accord in its final months in office. But the initiative has taken on new urgency since the election of President-elect Donald Trump created fresh uncertainty around the deal.

If agreed upon, the plan could reduce the odds of a sudden flashpoint between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s implementation of the deal once Mr. Trump takes office, Western officials say, by reducing its enriched-uranium stockpile well below the cap agreed to in the 2015 accord.

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WNU Editor: It looks like the Iranians are not interested in accommodating the West right now .... Iran warns of retaliation if U.S. breaches nuclear deal (Reuters).

WNU Editor: In the waning days of the U.S. Presidency, it looks like President Obama is getting some new "heat" on the Iran nuclear deal .... Obama Admin Covering Up Key Iran Deal Details in Final Days (Washington Free Beacon).