Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began talks in Tehran on Monday with Iranian officials over the country’s disputed nuclear programme.
However, it was unclear whether the IAEA team, headed by Chief Inspector Herman Nackaerts, would be able to inspect actual nuclear facilities or be limited to technical discussions.
On Sunday, Iran announced it was stopping oil exports to French and British companies, in retaliation for European Union sanctions.
It was reported at the weekend that thousands of new centrifuges may be constructed at the Fordo site, near the holy city of Qom — where Iran has already started enriching uranium to 20 per cent.
Iran was also expected to inform the IAEA that the country was now able to produce its own fuel rods. However, Tehran was only to reveal information stipulated by the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Western powers, and Israel, believe Iran to be developing nuclear weapon materials, a charge which Tehran denies.
Western diplomats said that Monday’s visit was based on an IAEA report last year indicating that Iran was carrying out projects geared to develop nuclear weapons.
On Sunday, Western diplomats in Vienna — the headquarters of the IAEA — told DPA that Iran’s nuclear engineers were nowhere near being able to actually operate new centrifuges at Fordo, even if there were plans to install them.
The IAEA confirmed last month that uranium enrichment to a level of 20 per cent had started at Fordo, which has not officially been inaugurated.
Keywords: IAEA, Iran, Iran nuclear programmes
I don't know what all these IAEA visits are all about. There is no significant dispute about the facts on ground. The dispute is theoretical, does enrichment constitute proliferation.
India ignored the NPT and went ahead with its nuclear programme despite sanctions. Subsequent to 9/11 an alliance was formed with the U.S. and U.K., sanctions were dropped and we're all doing better business now and India will get fighter jets be it the Eurofighter or the Rafale to protect its interests and in turn protect international business interests that might be threatened by agression from either Pakistan or China. I do not agree with Ahmadinejad's somewhat wild denials of the Holocaust, which indicate a certained unbridled hatred suggesting a megalomanic personality that will prevaricate, play for a time with discussions with the IAEA etc, who have not as yet inspected nuclear plant facilities. And there a paralell ends, such hatred is likely to lead to the possiblity of a nuclear attack on Israel, faced with that eventuality I cannot condone their current programme's course. Muslim fundamentalism has produced a dangerous irrational streak in their psychological constitution
Please Email the Editor