Vienna, June 16: Iran has failed to report certain nuclear activities but is taking corrective action, the UN's chief nuclear inspector said today. The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed Elbaradei, also urged Iran to sign an "additional protocol" to the global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that would allow the IAEA to inspect all suspected nuclear sites, not just those declared by Tehran.
Elbaradei was presenting a report to the IAEA board of governors on the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Iran.
"The report points out that Iran has failed to report certain nuclear material and activities and that corrective actions are being taken in cooperation with Iranian authorities," he told a meeting of the 35-nation board in Vienna. "The report also explains that work is still ongoing with regard to the correctness and completeness of Iran's declaration to ensure that all nuclear material in Iran has been declared and is under safeguards," Elbaradei said, according to a copy of his speech issued to reporters.
"Iran should conclude and bring into force an additional protocol at an early date in order to enhance the agency's ability to provide credible assurances regarding the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities," he said. "We are continuing our efforts, through technical discussions, inspection and environmental sample analysis, to understand all aspects of Iran's nuclear programme, including the research and development work relevant to its uranium conversion and enrichment programme and its programme for the use of heavy water," he added. Bureau Report