Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Iran promises inspection 'soon'

Iran has said it will soon inform the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of a timetable for inspection of its second uranium enrichment plant.

The head of Iran's atomic energy body was quoted as saying that it would resolve the issue with the UN body.

Meanwhile China called for restraint ahead of talks between Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany on 1 October.

Iran revealed the second plant, thought to be near Qom, on 21 September.

The IAEA had requested "specific information and access to the facility as soon as possible" after receiving the letter from Tehran admitting to the existence of the plant.

Iran told the agency that no nuclear material had been introduced into the "new pilot fuel enrichment plant" which it said was still under construction.

We hope relevant countries can make efforts for the relaxation of the situation instead of doing things to the contrary

Jiang Yu
Chinese Foreign Ministry

Tougher sanctions

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said she hoped that there would be a "relaxation of the situation".

"We hope relevant countries can make efforts. We support the maintenance of the international non-proliferation regime and uphold the proper handling of the issue through negotiations," she said.

Her comments came amid tensions between Iran and the West that have escalated yet further in the days leading up the talks in Geneva.

Iran has test-fired a series of medium- and longer-range missiles that put Israel, parts of Europe and US bases in the Gulf within potential striking range.

The White House called the move "provocative" but Iran's foreign ministry said the tests were merely part of an annual military drill, and were not a reaction to the nuclear crisis.

Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for peaceful energy purposes and refutes accusations from the US and others that it is seeking a nuclear weapon.

President Obama has hinted at pursuing tougher sanctions against Tehran if progress over the crisis is not made.

Russia recently signalled it might be prepared to soften its opposition to further sanctions.

China, which is also a permanent Security Council member, has said such pressure would not be effective.

No comments: