The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that it had ended its 12-year-long investigation into concerns that Iran might be developing nuclear weapons, as no evidence was found since 2009, reported BBC News.

The agency reached the conclusion that Iran had conducted nuclear weapons related research in the past until 2003, and to a lesser extent until 2009.

Iranian Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif welcomed the IAEA announcement saying that it confirmed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.

“This resolution goes far beyond closing the issue of so-called PMD (Possible Military Dimension) and cancels the 12 previous resolutions of the council of governors of the IAEA, which seriously restricted our country’s nuclear program,” he added.

According to Press TV, the approved resolution stated that the investigation had been implemented in accordance with the agreed schedule, and that this closed board’s considerations of the matter.

The vote for the resolution by the 35-member governing body of the IAEA was overwhelming. The resolution was submitted by the P5+1 group of countries on December 7th following the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal.