Iran: The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, said yesterday he had agreed with Iranian officials to send a team of experts to Tehran next week to clarify Iranian concerns over tighter nuclear inspections.
Iran has so far resisted calls from the agency to sign the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to allow the agency to conduct more rigorous, short-notice inspections of Iran's atomic sites.
"I hope that once these issues have been clarified that Iran will be in a position to sign the protocol," Dr ElBaradei told reporters after talks with Iranian nuclear officials.
Tehran insists an international embargo on exporting nuclear technology to Iran is scrapped before it signs the agreement. "I think clarifications are probably required for the Iranian authorities to take the decision to join the protocol," Dr ElBaradei said.
Diplomats in Tehran say there appeared to be a lively debate going on within Iran's political establishment on whether to agree to the tougher inspection regime, with some signs that Iran may be moving closer to signing the Additional Protocol.
"Reading between the lines, it seems like they may be preparing the ground to sign," one European diplomat said.
Iran is conscious that failure to address concerns about its nuclear ambitions could increase pressure from Washington and jeopardise relations with other states, diplomats say.
The EU has warned Iran that a potential trade deal depends on greater transparency over its atomic programme. Japan has put a $2 billion oil deal on hold over the nuclear concerns.
"The protocol would enable us to do our job in a better way and create more confidence in the international community which is in the interests of Iran," Dr ElBaradei said. He is due to leave Iran early today, but said a group of technical experts would stay behind to be joined by the other team next week.
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation pledged co- operation with the agency.
"We will do our utmost to answer their questions," Mr Gholamreza Aghazadeh told reporters. "We are sure that the co-operation will have very good results." Mr Aghazadeh said IAEA specialists would provide Iran with a report on the Additional Protocol. "After having this report and doing the required studying, we will take the necessary decisions," he said. - (Reuters)