Iran Tells IAEA To Stop Snap Inspections, Remove Cameras
Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant (file photo) (AFP)
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, has confirmed the notification. It said Iran has also told it to end snap inspection measures at Iranian nuclear sites by mid-February, and to remove surveillance cameras.
In Washington, the White House today condemned what it said were Tehran's "threats and confrontations" after it said it would restart its nuclear work. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Tehran's actions will only "further isolate it from the rest of the world."
On 4 February, the IAEA decided to report Iran to the Security Council for failing to adequately address concerns that Iran is seeking to build a nuclear bomb.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he hopes Iran will take measures that would bring about new international talks on the matter.
(dpa, AFP, Reuters, AP)
READ
On 4 February, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency approved in a 27-3 vote a resolution to report the matter of Iran's nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council. The key section of the resolution is Section 1, which states that the Board of Governors:
Underlines that outstanding questions can best be resolved and confidence built in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's program by Iran responding positively to the calls for confidence-building measures which the Board has made on Iran, and in this context deems it necessary for Iran to:
- reestablish full and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and processing activities, including research and development, to be verified by the Agency;
- reconsider the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water;
- ratify promptly and implement in full Additional Protocol;
- pending ratification, continue to act in accordance with the provisions of the Additional Protocol with Iran signed on 18 December 2003;
- implement the transparency measures, as requested by the Director General, which extend beyond the former requirements of the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol, and include such access to individuals, documentation relating to procurement, dual use equipment, certain military-owned workshops and research and development as the Agency may request in support of its ongoing investigations.
COMPLETE TEXT: To read the final resolution, with late-hour changes highlighted, click here.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE: RFE/RL's complete coverage of controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
An annotated timeline of Iran's nuclear program.