US extends Iran sanctions waivers for nuclear work for 90 days

Tehran, May 4, IRNA -- Trump administration on Friday renewed five of seven sanctions waivers that allow Russia and European nations to conduct civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran, for 90 days rather than the routine period of 180 days, a senior US official said. The Non-Proliferation Treaty Advocacy groups and Arms Control Association expressed concerns about Trump Administration attempt to undermine the Non-Proliferation Treaty which granted civilian application of nuclear energy. The NPT advocacy groups said that undermining the nuclear waivers could damage non-proliferation efforts and lead to the collapse of the Iran nuclear agreement as well. 'Failure to grant the waivers would jeopardize US nonproliferation priorities and increase the risk that he nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, will collapse,' the Arms Control Association said in a statement. Facilities included in the waiver extensions include the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Fordow enrichment facility, the Arak nuclear complex and the Tehran Research Reactor. Two other waivers -- one that allowed Iran to store heavy water in Oman and the other that allowed Russia to process Iranian uranium -- are not being renewed. President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal last year, reimposed sanctions that had been eased in November and has steadily ramped up pressure on Iran. Last month, his administration announced it would no longer renew sanctions waivers that allowed China, India, Japan, Turkey and South Korea to continue importing Iranian oil. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish