Biden administration waives sanctions on Iranian civilian nuclear activities as deal talks hang in

FOX News-Feb 5th 2022

The Biden administration has waived sanctions related to Iran’s civilian nuclear activities as part of its efforts to bring the regime back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal – while stressing that the waivers did not equal sanctions relief for Tehran.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a waiver that restored the ability of foreign companies and other countries to participate in civilian nuclear and safety projects in Iran without facing U.S. sanction.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the development on Friday, reported that the waivers are aimed at turning Iran’s heavy-water Arak reactor into a less-dangerous light-water reactor, and also applies to the export of enriched uranium and heavy water outside of Iran. The waivers would also allow fuel to be sent to two reactors used for civilian purposes.

A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital that the waivers were due to growing non-proliferation concerns with respect to increasing stockpiles of enriched uranium by Tehran, and that without the waiver, “detailed technical discussions with third parties regarding disposition of stockpiles and other activities of nonproliferation value cannot take place.”