JCPOA keep key sectors of nuclear industry in place; Salehi
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran underscored the nuclear and economic benefits of the 2015 nuclear deal to reaffirm his stance in favor of the controversial accord.
It was the outcome of 18 months of negotiations between Iran and P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany) to swap sanctions relief for time-bound constraints on Tehran's nuclear development.
Ali Akbar Salehi chided domestic critics who claim the historic agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, has failed to deliver the benefits touted by President Hassan Rouhani.
"After JCPOA, our oil production has soared from 1 million barrels per day to 3.9 million bpd," IRNA quoted Salehi as saying on Sunday, two days after the two-year anniversary of the action plan. This marks a success for Iran's oil-based economy in reclaiming its market share lost over the years of sanctions.
Salehi noted that JCPOA has helped legitimately keep the key sectors of nuclear industry in place, despite initial insistence by western powers that Tehran's nuclear program be completely shut down.
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