On January 16, 2016, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Agency inspectors confirmed Iran’s compliance with all required preparatory steps under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to a news report, Iran pledged in the plan to “never under any circumstances to seek, develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and the UN Security Council is to consider ending sanctions imposed for its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) violations.” The UN Secretary-General welcomed “Implementation Day” by stating, “This is a significant milestone that reflects the good faith effort by all parties to fulfil their agreed commitments.” He further emphasized that this achievement exemplifies that dialogue and diplomacy are the best means to address nuclear proliferation concerns and commended  “the dedication and determination shown on all sides” throughout the process. The IAEA’s Director General noted that, “Relations between Iran and the IAEA now enter a new phase . . . . It is an important day for the international community. I congratulate all those who helped make it a reality, especially the group of countries known as the E3/EU+3, Iran and the IAEA Board.” According to a news report, both the U.S. and the European Union reacted to the report by lifting their nuclear related sanctions, as foreseen in the JCPOA. The EU removed several restrictions on financial services, greatly reduced the number of sanctions listings and replaced prohibitions on dealing with Iran in dual-use equipment, precious and other listed metals, diamonds, and graphite with a requirement for prior authorization. It further removed prohibitions on transactions for Iranian oil and gas products and certain software. The U.S. lifted its “secondary sanctions,” which are focused on non-U.S. citizens engaged in oil, banking, and shipping business with Iran. The JCPOA only carves out some exceptions to the “primary sanctions” under the general U.S. embargo on trade with Iran. Both the EU and U.S. will maintain their sanctions listings related to terrorism and human rights violations.