By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – According to the White House said Sunday that the Iranian government has pledged to begin eliminating some of its uranium stockpile on January 20, marking the official start of the six-month interim deal with Iran that was announced in November of last year. That date was also confirmed by Iranian State media.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that “As of that day, for the first time in almost a decade, Iran’s nuclear program will not be able to advance, and parts of it will be rolled back, while we start negotiating a comprehensive agreement to address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s program.”

As part of the agreement Iran has agreed to start eliminating its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium, used in the production of nuclear weapons, and to dismantle some of the infrastructure that is used in the enrich higher-level uranium enrichment possible. Iran has also agreed not to construct new centrifuges. This will be done in exchange for the easing of some sanctions. The deal could result in the easing of sanctions totalling about $7 billion — $4.2 billion of which, US officials say.

“The $4.2 billion in restricted Iranian assets that Iran will gain access to as part of the agreement will be released in regular instalments throughout the six months,” John Kerry said. “The final instalment will not be available to Iran until the very last day.”

Shortly after the deal goes into effect Iran will likely enter into talks with world powers in February to negotiate the future of its nuclear program. the next round of talks is being led by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the actors involved in the talks will have to address the challenge of defining an accepted scope of Iranian nuclear activity that will adequately addressed the concerns of members of the international community that Iran’s nuclear ambitions could lead the state to develop an atomic weapon.

A diplomatic sources told Reuters that the next phase of diplomacy between Iran, the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany will include Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The source said that while the talks will begin soon, they will not “happen in January, because of the Chinese New Year, but it is very, very, very likely in February.”

United States President Barack Obama said over the weekend that he has “no illusions” about how hard it will be to secure a comprehensive agreement with Iran.

On Monday the Obama Administration voiced concerns about reports that Iran and the Russian Federation will enter into an ‘oil-for-goods’ agreement  to exchange worth $1.5 billion a month. Under this agreement Russia receive up to 500,000 barrels or Iranian oil per day and in exchange Iran will receive Russian equipment and goods. The White House said this deal could potentially trigger U.S. sanctions.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – US Concerned About Iran-Russia Oil Deal – 14 January 2014

The Jerusalem Post – Iran Using Opening with West To Improve Its Relations Worldwide – 14 January 2014

CNN International – Iran to Start Scaling Back Nuclear Program January 20, White House Says – 13 January 2014

Reuters – World Powers, Iran Eye February Start To Nuclear Settlement Talks – 13 January 2014