Menu
26/11/2004
'Jury still out' on Iran's nuclear ambitions
The jury is still out on the precise nature of Iran nuclear ambitions, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said.
While it has accounted for all declared nuclear material in Iran, the IAEA said that it does not have a full picture of Tehran's clandestine arms ambitions, the agency's chief said today.
Addressing a meeting in Vienna of the IAEA's board of governors, Mohamed ElBaradei said the agency “is not yet in a position to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran”.
He noted that the normally time-consuming process of determining the facts would take even longer with respect to Iran, given the country's past pattern of "concealing its nuclear activities".
“A confidence deficit has been created, and confidence needs to be restored,” the IAEA chief told the 35-member board.
“Iran's active cooperation and full transparency [are] therefore indispensable.”
He also reported that progress has been made in assuring that there are no undeclared enrichment activities in Iran and in assessing the extent of Tehran's efforts to import, manufacture and use centrifuges.
At the agency's request, Iran has agreed to let IAEA experts analyse samples taken from centrifuges and centrifuge components in the countries they came from as a basis for comparison. The aim is to “confirm the actual source of contamination and the correctness of statements made by Iran”, Mr ElBaradei said.
On a positive note, the IAEA chief said that the UN now had a much better understanding of Iran's programme.
(gmcg/sp)
While it has accounted for all declared nuclear material in Iran, the IAEA said that it does not have a full picture of Tehran's clandestine arms ambitions, the agency's chief said today.
Addressing a meeting in Vienna of the IAEA's board of governors, Mohamed ElBaradei said the agency “is not yet in a position to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran”.
He noted that the normally time-consuming process of determining the facts would take even longer with respect to Iran, given the country's past pattern of "concealing its nuclear activities".
“A confidence deficit has been created, and confidence needs to be restored,” the IAEA chief told the 35-member board.
“Iran's active cooperation and full transparency [are] therefore indispensable.”
He also reported that progress has been made in assuring that there are no undeclared enrichment activities in Iran and in assessing the extent of Tehran's efforts to import, manufacture and use centrifuges.
At the agency's request, Iran has agreed to let IAEA experts analyse samples taken from centrifuges and centrifuge components in the countries they came from as a basis for comparison. The aim is to “confirm the actual source of contamination and the correctness of statements made by Iran”, Mr ElBaradei said.
On a positive note, the IAEA chief said that the UN now had a much better understanding of Iran's programme.
(gmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 October 2003
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran promises 'accelerated' cooperation with nuclear inspectors
Iran has told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will "accelerate" its cooperation on nuclear issues. In a dispatch from its Vienna headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, met in Tehran with Hassan Rohani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
11 November 2003
Iran agrees to IAEA demands on nuclear inspections
Iran has acceded to demands by the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to allow on-the-spot inspections and to suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities following concerns over its possible development of nuclear weapons.
Iran agrees to IAEA demands on nuclear inspections
Iran has acceded to demands by the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency to allow on-the-spot inspections and to suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities following concerns over its possible development of nuclear weapons.
15 June 2004
UN nuclear watchdog chief demands 'transparency' from Iran
Iran must be “proactive and fully transparent” in declaring its nuclear activities, and should do so within the next few months to "allay suspicions about its programme", the head of the UN atomic watchdog agency said yesterday.
UN nuclear watchdog chief demands 'transparency' from Iran
Iran must be “proactive and fully transparent” in declaring its nuclear activities, and should do so within the next few months to "allay suspicions about its programme", the head of the UN atomic watchdog agency said yesterday.
01 October 2003
IAEA urges 'full disclosure' on Iranian nuclear programme
With the clock ticking towards a “decisive” and “non-negotiable” deadline of 31 October, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency today called on Iran to provide “full transparency and full disclosure” to corroborate its assertions that it is not seeking to produce nuclear weapons.
IAEA urges 'full disclosure' on Iranian nuclear programme
With the clock ticking towards a “decisive” and “non-negotiable” deadline of 31 October, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency today called on Iran to provide “full transparency and full disclosure” to corroborate its assertions that it is not seeking to produce nuclear weapons.
02 November 2004
Iran urged to suspend nuclear activities
The UN nuclear watchdog agency has called on Iran to suspend activities related to uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
Iran urged to suspend nuclear activities
The UN nuclear watchdog agency has called on Iran to suspend activities related to uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
