US issues waivers to allow Iran deal to continue

The United States said Monday it was issuing waivers to allow the continuation of a nuclear deal with Iran, after declaring the agreement a disaster and slapping sweeping sanctions.

Hours after sanctions went into effect that ban most trade with Iran, the State Department said it was exempting projects set up through the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former president Barack Obama.

The international activities at Bushehr, Iran's only nuclear power station, as well as the Fordow enrichment plant and the Arak heavy water reactor will be allowed "to continue under the strictest scrutiny to ensure transparency and maintain constraints on Iran," the State Department said in a statement.

"This oversight enhances our ability to constrain Iran's program and keep pressure on the regime while we pursue a new, stronger deal," it said.

The State Department said the waivers were "temporary," without specifying a timeframe, and "conditional on the cooperation of the various stakeholders."