Iaea: Iranian Gov'T Not Cooperating With Nuclear Probe

[News_Editor]

IAEA: Iranian gov't not cooperating with nuclear probe < br />

2012-06-05 20:29:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

VIENNA, AUSTRIA (BNO NEWS) -- The head of the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog on Monday said Iran is not cooperating with its investigation to ensure that the country's nuclear program is of an exclusively peaceful nature. It comes amidst reports that Iran may have attempted to destroy evidence.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano said the Iranian government is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable the agency to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. This is needed before the IAEA can conclude that all nuclear material and activities in Iran is for peaceful purposes.

Amano spoke during the year's second meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors in Vienna. "I urge Iran to take steps towards the full implementation of all relevant obligations in order to establish international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program," he said.

There has been no breakthrough despite talks last month between Amano and senior Iranian officials in Tehran and separate talks between Iran and the E3+3 grouping - made up of the United Kingdom, the United States, China, France, Germany and Russia - in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Iran rejected calls to stop enriching uranium which could be used for weapons.

During Monday's meeting, Amano also called on the Iranian government to sign and implement as soon as possible the so-called 'Structured Approach' document and provide early access to the Parchin nuclear facility site. The 'Structured Approach' agreement, reached between Amano and Iranian officials during their meeting last month, will allow IAEA inspectors to resume a long-stalled investigation into suspected nuclear weapons research by Iran.

"I was assured that agreement on the structured approach would be expedited and that the remaining differences between Iran and the Agency would not be an obstacle to reaching agreement," the IAEA chief said. He added that another meeting between the IAEA and senior Iranian officials has been scheduled for Friday in Vienna.

International concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities have been increasing for decades. And while Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear program is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and may be close to obtain them.

Monday's news comes amidst allegations that the Iranian government may be attempting to destroy evidence of its nuclear activities. Recent satellite images obtained by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) shows sanitization activity at the Parchin nuclear facility site where Iran is suspected to have conducted high explosives tests pertinent to the development of nuclear weapons.

The DigitalGlobe satellite imagery from late May shows that two buildings at the same site as the suspected testing chamber have been demolished. The satellite images also show clear evidence of tracks likely made by heavy machinery during the demolition process and extensive evidence of earth displacement.

The revelations came after news of activity at the site's suspected explosives testing chamber building in early April. Satellite images then showed unidentified items lined up outside the building and a stream of water emanating nearby. This raised allegations that Iran is attempting to cleanse the site, using the stream of water to wash the inside of the building or the items outside.

"The newest image raises concerns that Iran is attempting to raze the site prior to allowing an IAEA visit," the think thank's founder David Albright wrote in a report late last month. "The razing of the two buildings may also indicate that Iran has no intention to allow inspectors access soon. In 2004, Iran razed the Lavisan-Shian site, which held the Physics Research Center (PHRC), interfering with the ability of the IAEA to investigate allegations that the PHRC was involved in military nuclear activities."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-06-05

[GentlemanJim]

After all the furore concerning Iran and nukes, how on earth has this stayed below the radar for 24 hours!

[tolsti]

and this comes as a surprise? No shit Sherlock!! Them Eyeranians won't tell us the truth? What a liberty!

[Colin Yai]

After all the furore concerning Iran and nukes, how on earth has this stayed below the radar for 24 hours!

It could well be that this has been going on for quite some time now and is hardly a surprise(as Tolsti noted above) or indeed "red hot news" any more Edited June 6, 2012 by Colin Yai

[Steely Dan]

The only aspect of this story that is newsworthy is that some leftist apologists for the Iranian regime still cling to the notion that Iran are not seeking to make nuclear weapons.

[Ulysses G.]

Maybe we are bored with the subject. After all, it is not exactly a surprise.

Edited June 6, 2012 by Ulysses G.

[tolsti]

The closest these guys get to Iran is the caviar on their plates in First Class as they swan around the world.

[phl]

Very much inline with what Iraq was doing till the very last minute. Though Iran does have the "goods" but for some reason keeps pushing the issue.