The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Monday that Iran has halted its 20 percent uranium enrichment as part of an agreement made between Iran and the P5+1 last November in Geneva. Iran also began to dilute its already enriched stockpile to levels below 20 percent which is closer to the capability of creating fuel for an atom bomb.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf confirmed that the IAEA report was received by all parties in the agreement. In a statement, Harf said: “[We] are not studying this report [and] will have further public comment after all parties have had the opportunity to review the report.”

Iranian state TV reported that workers at the Natanz and Fordo facilities, the two largest uranium enrichment facilities in Iran, severed the link feeding cascades of enriched uranium. Cascades, which are linked networks of centrifuges, are the main tool needed to enrich uranium. IAEA inspectors were present for the cut-off procedure.

The report, addressed to member states, said: “The Agency confirms that, as of 20 January 2014, Iran…has ceased enriching uranium above 5 percent U-235 at the two cascades at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) and four cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) previously used for this purpose.”

Last December, Iran announced it would begin working on a new generation of centrifuges, arguing that the current agreement does not address any prohibition against creating new technology. Iran has always been adamant that its nuclear program is being used for peaceful purposes, such as medical research and power generation.

IAEA inspectors are responsible for ensuring that Iran holds to their side of the interim agreement. The deal reached by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1 – U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany – freezes Iran’s enrichment activities of uranium to maximum levels of 5 percent. Already enriched uranium is to be reduced to levels of 20 percent.

Inspectors will have daily access to the enrichment sites and monthly inspections at the 40 megawatt Arak heavy water reactor are to take place. Iran must also halt building any future enrichment sites during the six month period.

In response to Iran implementing actions to reduce and halt its uranium enrichment, the first of six installments of sanction relief has been approved by the White House. The Iranian government will not be able to access the first installment of $450-550 million until February 1. On the last day of the six month period of the agreement, Iran will receive a final installment of $4.2 billion.

Last week, the White House said that other concessions made by the P5+1 will not go into effect until “the IAEA has confirmed Iran is implementing its commitments.” The six month interim agreement is meant to allow the P5+1 and Iran time to finalize a more permanent, lasting agreement.

However, not all are rejoicing at the news. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views the deal as giving too many concessions to Iran, allowing the Islamic Republic time to plan their next move towards acquiring a nuclear bomb. Many U.S. Congressional members are supporting the creation of bills that would further Iranian sanctions. They believe that Iran is not serious about a future agreement and that diplomacy can only work up to a certain point. U.S. President Barack Obama has stated he would veto any bills that would toughen Iranian sanction.

Iranian hard-liners, who are against the agreement, view the deal as a “poisoned chalice”. Vatan-e-Emrooz, an Iranian newspaper, hailed the deal as a “nuclear holocaust” and a gift to Netanyahu.