An Iranian official has revealed the existence of a secret side agreement to the new nuclear pact between his country and six other nations, including the United States.
The existence of the 30-page addendum was made public by Iran’s chief negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, in an interview with the Iranian Students News Agency on Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Araqchi said the hush-hush side deal details how a joint commission between Iran and the other countries will settle any disputes.
The United States has referred to the body only as a discussion forum, rather than one that can make binding decisions and a US spokeswoman denied the existence of any side pact.
Araqchi also said the addendum details how Iran will be allowed to continue its nuclear research and development program in the coming months.
“No facility will be closed; enrichment will continue, and qualitative and nuclear research will be expanded,” he said. “All research into a new generation of centrifuges will continue.”
US officials have said Iran may continue development of its existing projects, but may not begin new ones.
The development came after the announcement of a general agreement between both sides over the weekend.
The pact establishes a timetable for implementing a deal reached in November to rein in Iran’s nuke program. In exchange for Iran’s cooperation, the world powers have agreed to ease sanctions against Tehran.
The UN nuclear agency will convene its first meeting between the parties Jan. 24, officials said Tuesday.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the pact as a victory for his country.
“Do you know what the . . . agreement means? It means the surrender of the big powers before the great Iranian nation,’’ Rouhani crowed to a crowd during a visit to Khuzestan province.
“It means an admission by the world of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.’’
“It doesn’t matter what they say. What matters to us . . . is what they do, what Iran does in keeping its commitments in this agreement,’’ said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
The White House dismissed his bluster.