VIENNA (Alliance News) - Iran is meeting its obligations to curb its nuclear programme under the deal Tehran struck with six world powers, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in its first report since the deal went into effect in January.

In an report issued Friday, the IAEA said that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium remained below the agreed limit of 300 kilograms, and that the number of centrifuges for uranium enrichment was also below the agreed number.

In addition, the IAEA confirmed that no additional construction work has been carried out on the Arak reactor, which could have produced plutonium as a side product if it had become operational.

The nuclear deal that Iran signed with the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China last July is designed to prevent Iran from acquiring uranium or plutonium for a nuclear weapon.

When the deal came into effect on January 16, the US and the EU lifted their embargoes that had severely hurt key economic sectors in Iran, including the oil industry and banks.

The agreement that was pushed by Iranian President Hassan Rowhani and his moderate faction is expected to influence the outcome of Friday's parliamentary election in Iran, as it has raised hopes for economic recovery and for improved relations with the West.

By Alliance News