State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Thursday that Iran had not violated last summer's comprehensive nuclear deal, even though an international monitoring group said this week Tehran had more heavy water than is allowed under the agreement.
Associated Press reporter Matt Lee questioned Toner over the findings that show Iran exceeding the limit set on heavy water established under the nuclear deal. Heavy water is used in reactors and could potentially help produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
Toner pointed out how the International Atomic Energy Agency found that Iran had more heavy water than is allowed under the deal, but then claimed Tehran was working to correct this issue with the IAEA. He then said he would not call this a "violation."
"Why is it that you're reluctant to call what would seem to the average person to be a violation of the agreement a violation?" Lee asked.
Toner cited the wording of the agreement, saying the figures were estimated amounts of materials. Lee then asked if this would lead the Iranians to potentially violate other aspects of the agreement as long as they appeared to be trying to comply.
"How many other technicalities do you let them get away with?" Lee asked.
"We're not letting them get away with it," Toner said.