Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

The UN nuclear watchdog says Iran has begun curbing its nuclear program in line with a deal with six world powers.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) included that assessment in a report presented to the UN Security Council on November 18.

Adoption of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and six world powers in July was on October 18.

Since then, the IAEA report shows that Iran has reduced the number of centrifuges it uses to enrich uranium, a potential pathway to nuclear arms.

The report said 11,308 centrifuges were standing at Iran’s main enrichment center as of November 15. That’s more than 300 fewer than before the implementation day.

It also noted reductions at a smaller facility.

However, diplomats familiar with the report told the AP news agency that all of the machines that had been taken out were previously idle and could be restarted at short notice.

Under the July deal, sanctions against Iran will be lifted in exchange for measures including slashing the number of centrifuges in operation and reducing its stockpile of uranium.

  but shelved centrifuges could easily be restarted, UN: Iran reducing nuclear program in line with deal, WorldTribune.com