Iran clean-up of Parchin site going on, confirms IAEA
12 Nov 2012 7:23 AM IST
Possible clean-up activities at an Iranian military base where the UN atomic agency wants to probe evidence of suspected nuclear weapons research are ‘ongoing,’ the watchdog's head said on Sunday.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano nevertheless expressed guarded optimism on a visit to Baghdad about talks with Iran next month, ahead of the expected release on Friday of the IAEA's latest report on the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear activities. Western powers believe the nuclear programme is at least in part aimed at developing atomic weapons, but Tehran insists it is for peaceful purposes.
‘Yes, the activities at Parchin are ongoing, but I am not in a position to discuss the details on Sunday,’ Amano told reporters after being asked whether Iran was continuing its clean-up of the sprawling military site near Tehran. Western nations have accused Iran of removing evidence of past suspected weapons research activities at Parchin. The IAEA wants Iran to grant access to Parchin, which it visited twice in 2005 but wants to examine again.
Since the summer, some buildings at the base have been covered in massive tarpaulins to prevent surveillance by Western satellites.
Amano also said he believed there was ‘good reason’ that Iran would cooperate with the IAEA over the issue of Tehran's nuclear programme. ‘I am very much convinced that... the IAEA has an essential role to play in solving this issue, Iran nuclear issue, through diplomatic means,’ he said.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano nevertheless expressed guarded optimism on a visit to Baghdad about talks with Iran next month, ahead of the expected release on Friday of the IAEA's latest report on the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear activities. Western powers believe the nuclear programme is at least in part aimed at developing atomic weapons, but Tehran insists it is for peaceful purposes.
‘Yes, the activities at Parchin are ongoing, but I am not in a position to discuss the details on Sunday,’ Amano told reporters after being asked whether Iran was continuing its clean-up of the sprawling military site near Tehran. Western nations have accused Iran of removing evidence of past suspected weapons research activities at Parchin. The IAEA wants Iran to grant access to Parchin, which it visited twice in 2005 but wants to examine again.
Since the summer, some buildings at the base have been covered in massive tarpaulins to prevent surveillance by Western satellites.
Amano also said he believed there was ‘good reason’ that Iran would cooperate with the IAEA over the issue of Tehran's nuclear programme. ‘I am very much convinced that... the IAEA has an essential role to play in solving this issue, Iran nuclear issue, through diplomatic means,’ he said.
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