IAEA Chief Circulates Latest Report On Iran

UN atomic watchdog chief circulates latest report on Iran

26 May 2008 - The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog today circulated his latest report regarding Iran's nuclear programme to both the Security Council and the agency's Board of Directors.

The new report covers developments since International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei issued his last report on 22 February 2008.

On 3 March, the Security Council requested that Dr. ElBaradei issue a report within 90 days "on whether Iran has established full and sustained suspension of all activities mentioned in resolution 1737 (2006), as well as on the process of Iranian compliance with all steps required by the IAEA Board" and other relevant resolutions.

Adopted in December 2006, resolution 1737 banned trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to the country's enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems.

In March, the Council imposed further sanctions against Iran, including the inspection of cargo suspected of carrying prohibited goods, the tighter monitoring of financial institutions and the extension of travel bans and asset freezes, over its nuclear programme.

The IAEA's 35-member Board of Governors will discuss the new report at its next meeting in Vienna on 2 June.

Iranian authorities have stated that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but some other countries contend that it is driven by military ambitions. It has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that Iran had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

ENDS

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