Iran Nuke Deal Will Take Effect on Jan. 20

Iran and six world powers have agreed on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, with its terms going into effect on Jan. 20, the Islamic Republic's official state news agency reported today. The report from IRNA quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirming the news, without offering any other details. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton confirmed the news, reports Reuters, saying that, " We will ask the IAEA to undertake the necessary nuclear-related monitoring and verification activities."

The announcement comes after Araghchi said Friday that an initial agreement had been reached and all sides would respond to it by today. Under the November agreement, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment to 5%—the grade commonly used to power reactors. The deal also commits Iran to stop producing 20% enriched uranium—which is only a technical step away from weapons-grade material—and to neutralize its 20% stockpile. In exchange, economic sanctions Iran faces would be eased for a period of six months. During that time, the world powers—Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US—would continue negotiations with Iran on a permanent deal. ISNA also reported today that under the terms of the deal, Iran will guarantee that it won't try to attain nuclear arms "under any circumstance." (More Iran stories.)