Vienna, Dec 18: Iran will sign an additional protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty today to allow tougher inspections of suspect sites, giving in to months of international pressure, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
"It is confirmed. They will sign," IAEA spokesman Peter Rickwood told reporters yesterday. He said the signing will take place at the agency's headquarters in Vienna at 3:00 pm (1930 IST) in the presence of IAEA director general Mohamed Elbaradei.
Iran's vice president and head of the Islamic Republic's Atomic Energy Organisation, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, earlier from Tehran signalled that the Islamic Republic could
sign the treaty today, telling reporters: "possibly tomorrow."
Iran has come under mounting pressure, notably from the United States, to sign the text, amid suspicions it is using a civil atomic energy programme as a cover for secret
nuclear weapons development.
Last month, the IAEA condemned Iran for 18 years of covert nuclear activities, although a report said there was no clear evidence the country had been developing nuclear
arms.
Elbaradei has argued that the agency needs more powers as it continues to probe Iran, including the ability to carry out unannounced inspections of suspect nuclear sites -- while Iran has been worried such inspections could violate national sovereignty.
Bureau Report
