The UN nuclear watchdog chief will today call for full backing for steps to clarify Iran's atomic work after Western powers said Tehran must do more to allay suspicions.
Mohamed ElBaradei will address the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors in Vienna in a debate on whether Iran's compliance so far with a plan to resolve questions about its nuclear development is cause for new hope or further scepticism.
Western board members will dwell on Iran's defiant campaign to enrich uranium despite the transparency plan, diplomats said, while developing nations will highlight Iranian steps towards openness and warn against rising Western pressure they feel could undo the process.
The West fears Iran is covertly trying to build atom bombs, while Iran says it wants to get electricity from uranium enrichment.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said today he would meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on November 30th. The outcome could decide whether Iran will face wider sanctions soon for pursuing nuclear power.
Mr ElBaradei, concerned by US-led criticism of the transparency plan's limitations and resolve to isolate Iran with harsher sanctions, is likely to stress the plan is on track and warrants full support, a UN official said.
The official said Iran had provided more information in two months about obtaining materials to build enrichment centrifuges than it had in two years of stonewalling.