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Iran Says It Will Cooperate With U.N. Nuclear Inquiry Iran Says It Will Cooperate With U.N. Nuclear Inquiry
(7 months later)
VIENNA — After years of stonewalling, Iran has told diplomats that it plans to cooperate this weekend with United Nations experts investigating alleged activities that it has steadfastly denied: work on nuclear weapons. VIENNA — After years of stonewalling, Iran has told diplomats that it plans to cooperate this weekend with United Nations experts investigating alleged activities that it has steadfastly denied: work on nuclear weapons.
With the inquiry stalled for six years, the United States and its allies are pushing the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear monitor of the United Nations, for progress. At the same time, too much pressure on Iran at talks between the agency and Iranian officials could force Tehran back into its shell of secrecy.With the inquiry stalled for six years, the United States and its allies are pushing the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear monitor of the United Nations, for progress. At the same time, too much pressure on Iran at talks between the agency and Iranian officials could force Tehran back into its shell of secrecy.
That, in turn, could have a negative impact on parallel talks between Iran and six world powers seeking to eliminate fears that Tehran might use its nuclear programs to make weapons by curbing its atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.That, in turn, could have a negative impact on parallel talks between Iran and six world powers seeking to eliminate fears that Tehran might use its nuclear programs to make weapons by curbing its atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The two sides are planning to meet Feb. 18 to try to translate an interim deal into a permanent agreement. But Olli Heinonen, who formerly headed the I.A.E.A.’s Iran inquiry, says that — with distrust still high on both sides — a final deal can be sealed “only if uncertainties over Iran’s military nuclear capability are properly addressed.”The two sides are planning to meet Feb. 18 to try to translate an interim deal into a permanent agreement. But Olli Heinonen, who formerly headed the I.A.E.A.’s Iran inquiry, says that — with distrust still high on both sides — a final deal can be sealed “only if uncertainties over Iran’s military nuclear capability are properly addressed.”
Iran has denied any interest in — or work on — nuclear weapons since the I.A.E.A. started to focus on its atomic activities. Specific attempts to investigate the alleged weapons program have made little progress since they were launched in 2007.Iran has denied any interest in — or work on — nuclear weapons since the I.A.E.A. started to focus on its atomic activities. Specific attempts to investigate the alleged weapons program have made little progress since they were launched in 2007.
As the I.A.E.A. team arrived in Tehran on Friday, the state news agency IRNA cited Behrouz Kamalvand, a spokesman for the Iranian atomic energy organization, as saying his country was ready to answer all questions raised by the United Nations agency.As the I.A.E.A. team arrived in Tehran on Friday, the state news agency IRNA cited Behrouz Kamalvand, a spokesman for the Iranian atomic energy organization, as saying his country was ready to answer all questions raised by the United Nations agency.
The news agency did not elaborate, and such pledges have been made before. But a senior diplomat from an I.A.E.A. member nation said a ranking Iranian official had told him and other senior diplomats that Iran was specifically ready to engage on the weapons program suspicions.The news agency did not elaborate, and such pledges have been made before. But a senior diplomat from an I.A.E.A. member nation said a ranking Iranian official had told him and other senior diplomats that Iran was specifically ready to engage on the weapons program suspicions.
The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to discuss his private meeting with the Iranian official.The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to discuss his private meeting with the Iranian official.
Another diplomat said that the I.A.E.A. team was carrying a list of alleged weapons-related experiments that it would present to the Iranian negotiating team for discussion. Among them were indications that Iran had conducted high explosives testing and detonator development to set off a nuclear charge and suspected preparatory work for a weapons test and development of a nuclear payload for Iran’s Shahab-3 intermediate-range missile.Another diplomat said that the I.A.E.A. team was carrying a list of alleged weapons-related experiments that it would present to the Iranian negotiating team for discussion. Among them were indications that Iran had conducted high explosives testing and detonator development to set off a nuclear charge and suspected preparatory work for a weapons test and development of a nuclear payload for Iran’s Shahab-3 intermediate-range missile.
Up to now, Iran has denied the allegations, first published in detail by the I.A.E.A. in November 2011. It has dismissed them as inaccurate or outright false, based on doctored intelligence from the United States, Israel and other adversaries of Iran.Up to now, Iran has denied the allegations, first published in detail by the I.A.E.A. in November 2011. It has dismissed them as inaccurate or outright false, based on doctored intelligence from the United States, Israel and other adversaries of Iran.
The agency is seeking access to individuals, documents and sites linked to these and other alleged nuclear weapons-related work.The agency is seeking access to individuals, documents and sites linked to these and other alleged nuclear weapons-related work.
The second diplomat, from a Western nation, also spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to share his information. He said the United States and its Western allies had made it clear to the I.A.E.A. chief Yukiya Amano that they expected progress on clearing up the weapons allegations.The second diplomat, from a Western nation, also spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to share his information. He said the United States and its Western allies had made it clear to the I.A.E.A. chief Yukiya Amano that they expected progress on clearing up the weapons allegations.