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Iran nuclear crisis: UN warns process will 'take time' Iran nuclear crisis: UN warns process will 'take time'
(about 1 hour later)
The head of the UN's nuclear agency, Yukiya Amano, has warned it will "take some time" before work can begin on verifying whether Iran is complying with a deal on its nuclear programme.The head of the UN's nuclear agency, Yukiya Amano, has warned it will "take some time" before work can begin on verifying whether Iran is complying with a deal on its nuclear programme.
Iran agreed last week to curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief.Iran agreed last week to curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief.
The deal requires increased UN inspections of Iran's nuclear sites including the Arak heavy water plant.The deal requires increased UN inspections of Iran's nuclear sites including the Arak heavy water plant.
But diplomats said the UN might not be able to begin work there until January. Mr Amano said he could not yet tell when the inspections would begin.
Under the international deal, Iran will receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in sanctions relief while talks continue to find a more permanent agreement.Under the international deal, Iran will receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in sanctions relief while talks continue to find a more permanent agreement.
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says that the stipulated six-month interim period will only begin once technical issues such as inspections have been worked out.
The accord, reached in Geneva on Sunday with the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany, has been generally welcomed.The accord, reached in Geneva on Sunday with the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany, has been generally welcomed.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it a "historic mistake" and some US senators say it is too soft.But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it a "historic mistake" and some US senators say it is too soft.
'Funding implications''Funding implications'
The West has long suspected that Iran's uranium enrichment programme is geared towards making a weapon, but Tehran insists it only wants nuclear energy.The West has long suspected that Iran's uranium enrichment programme is geared towards making a weapon, but Tehran insists it only wants nuclear energy.
Mr Amano said the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was looking into ways to implement the agreement. The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to play a key role in verifying Iran's compliance, including significantly expanding its inspections of nuclear sites.
He said he had received a letter from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton which said that the IAEA would have an important role in verifying the nuclear-related measures agreed in Geneva, including significantly expanding its inspections of nuclear sites. But Mr Amano told reporters on Thursday: "It will take time because it is a quite complicated task and we would like to properly prepare and do the job properly.
"This will include the implications for funding and staffing," he said. "I cannot tell when we will be ready."
"This analysis will take some time. I will consult the board as soon as possible when it has been completed." He indicated that the agency would be seeking special funding for the operation, which he said would "requires a significant amount of money and manpower".
Unnamed diplomats told the BBC that the IAEA might not be ready to begin its expanded inspections until January. "The IAEA's budget is very, very tight. I don't think we can cover everything from our own budget."
However the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says that the six-month interim period stipulated in the deal will not start until technical issues such as these are worked out.
Plutonium fearsPlutonium fears
Earlier on Thursday, as part of the deal, Iran invited Mr Amano to visit its Arak heavy water plant on 8 December.Earlier on Thursday, as part of the deal, Iran invited Mr Amano to visit its Arak heavy water plant on 8 December.
The purpose of the facility is to provide heavy water to help control the nuclear activity of fuel rods in the reactor, which is still under construction.The purpose of the facility is to provide heavy water to help control the nuclear activity of fuel rods in the reactor, which is still under construction.
Western powers fear the reactor could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium, but Iran says it will make medical isotopes.Western powers fear the reactor could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium, but Iran says it will make medical isotopes.
Under Sunday's deal, Iran agreed not to commission the Arak reactor or transfer fuel or heavy water to the site.Under Sunday's deal, Iran agreed not to commission the Arak reactor or transfer fuel or heavy water to the site.
The IAEA regularly visits a nearby research reactor site but has not been at the heavy water plant since August 2011 despite repeated requests.The IAEA regularly visits a nearby research reactor site but has not been at the heavy water plant since August 2011 despite repeated requests.
The visit is the first concrete step taken under the IAEA plan, a "joint statement on a framework for co-operation" signed with Iran on 11 November.The visit is the first concrete step taken under the IAEA plan, a "joint statement on a framework for co-operation" signed with Iran on 11 November.
Also on Thursday, Mr Amano said that satellite images of North Korea - another state whose nuclear activities have raised international alarm - indicated it was trying to restart a previously decommissioned nuclear reactor.Also on Thursday, Mr Amano said that satellite images of North Korea - another state whose nuclear activities have raised international alarm - indicated it was trying to restart a previously decommissioned nuclear reactor.
The Yongbyon plant - widely believed to be capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium - was shut down in 2008 amid international talks, but North Korea announced in April that it would restart it.The Yongbyon plant - widely believed to be capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium - was shut down in 2008 amid international talks, but North Korea announced in April that it would restart it.
The IAEA has no access to the site, so Mr Amano said it was "not possible for us to conclusively determine whether the reactor has been restarted".The IAEA has no access to the site, so Mr Amano said it was "not possible for us to conclusively determine whether the reactor has been restarted".