Iran nuclear deal: Key points

Negotiators in Geneva (24/11/13)AFP

World powers and Iran have begun implementing a deal on Iran's nuclear programme following intense talks in Geneva.

Both sides committed to a series of steps which will last for six months, while a more conclusive deal is negotiated.

Here are the key points of what the US says the two sides agreed:

What Iran will do

  • Halt production of near-20% enriched uranium and disable the configuration of the centrifuge cascades used to produce it
  • Start to dilute half of the near-20% enriched uranium stockpile that is in hexafluoride form, and continue to convert the rest to oxide form not suitable for further enrichment
  • Not enrich uranium in roughly half of the installed centrifuges at Natanz facility and three-quarters of the installed centrifuges at Fordo (Read our guide to Iran's nuclear facilities)
  • Limit its centrifuge production to those needed to replace damaged machines
  • Not construct additional enrichment facilities
  • Not go beyond its current enrichment research and development practices
  • Not commission or fuel the Arak heavy-water reactor
  • Halt the production and additional testing of fuel for the Arak reactor
  • Not install any additional reactor components at Arak
  • Not transfer fuel and heavy water to the Arak reactor site
  • Not construct a facility capable of reprocessing at Arak, preventing the separation of plutonium from spent fuel
  • Agree to a cap on the permitted size of Iran's up-to-5% enriched uranium stockpile
  • Allow IAEA inspectors to visit the Natanz and Fordo enrichment sites daily and the Arak reactor at least monthly
  • Provide "limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible [sanctions] relief". (See Q&A: Sanctions)
  • Not impose further nuclear-related sanctions if Iran meets its commitments
  • Transfer $4.2bn (£2.6bn) of oil revenue to Iran in instalments
  • Suspend the implementation of sanctions on Iran's petrochemical exports and its imports of goods and services for its automotive manufacturing sector
  • Pause efforts to further reduce purchases of crude oil from Iran by the six economies still purchasing oil from Iran
  • Suspend sanctions on Iran's imports and exports of gold and other precious metals
  • License the supply of spare parts and services for the safety of flight of Iran's civil aviation sector
  • Facilitate the establishment of a financial channel to support humanitarian trade already permitted with Iran and facilitate payments for UN obligations and tuition payments for students studying abroad
  • Modify the thresholds for EU internal procedures for the authorization of financial transactions