VIENNA/DUBAI: Iran is “in the process” of completing measures on transparency in its nuclear research that were agreed with the UN atomic agency, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying, suggesting Tehran had at least partly met yesterday’s deadline for cooperation.
Atomic energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi did not give details in remarks reported by the official Irna news agency. Those remarks came a few days after diplomatic sources in Vienna said the UN watchdog’s investigation into suspected atomic bomb research by Iran appeared to be making only limited headway.
Western officials say Iran must address the questions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They say that would be an important boost for parallel diplomatic efforts to end the dispute over a nuclear program the country says is peaceful.
Under an accord reached by the UN agency and Iran in November in an attempt to revive the long-stalled investigation, Tehran agreed in May to carry out five specific steps by August 25 to help allay international concerns.
They include providing information about two issues — for example, alleged explosives experimentation — that are part of the IAEA’s inquiry into what it calls the possible military dimensions of Iran’s atomic activities. “They have five questions and demands ... some are completed and others are in the process of being completed,” Irna quoted Salehi as saying, without elaborating on what these were.
The IAEA earlier said it would not comment on the issue yesterday. Diplomats say it may only release details of any Iranian response in its next quarterly report, expected next week.
AFP
