. | . |
IAEA head calls for 'timely' cooperation from Iran by Staff Writers Vienna (AFP) June 4, 2018 The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog called Monday on Iran to ensure "timely and proactive cooperation" with inspections mandated under the 2015 deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. Speaking at the first meeting of the IAEA's board of governors since US President Donald Trump threw the future of the deal in doubt in May with his decision to withdraw, Director General Yukiya Amano said the agency had had access to all sites in Iran that it needed to visit and that "Iran was implementing its nuclear-related commitments". However, echoing language in the agency's last report on Iran in May, Amano said that "in some cases, there existed room for Iran to provide us with more proactive and timely access, but such cases are not uncommon in safeguard implementation". While the IAEA itself has not given any more detail on these cases, it is understood that one recent inspection at a research facility was held up -- but still carried out within the necessary time limits. A senior diplomat in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, said recently that the agency's language was aimed at "encouraging (Iran) to go above and beyond the requirements" of the deal. Tehran could, for example, invite inspectors to sites they had not demanded access to, the diplomat said. Asked about the presentation that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made in April on Iran's nuclear programme, Amano said that the agency had "carefully" watched Netanyahu's press conference on the topic and had "an initial exchange of views as a follow-up". "We have just started to look into the information," Amano said, adding he expected it will take "a long time" to analyse. Iran's regional arch-foe Israel has long been opposed to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and in April Netanyahu unveiled an intelligence trove on Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions. However he did not present evidence that Iran had actively worked to obtain an atomic weapon since the deal was struck. The other signatories to the JCPOA have been scrambling to find ways to keep it going since Trump's announcement that he would pull out and reinstate US sanctions. Last month, a senior Iranian official said Trump's actions had left the landmark accord in "intensive care". As its price for staying in the deal, Iran has demanded European powers present an "economic package" that would mitigate the effects of US sanctions. Tehran has threatened to restart its uranium enrichment programme at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.
Netanyahu heads to Europe seeking about-face on Iran Berlin (AFP) June 4, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarks Monday on a three-day European tour in Germany set to be dominated by strategic differences on Iran, as leaders attempt to rescue the nuclear deal after US withdrawal. With partners in Berlin, Paris and London still reeling from President Donald Trump's decision last month to exit the hard-fought 2015 accord, Netanyahu is expected to seek European cooperation on a still-to-be-determined Plan B. "The aim to prevent Iran from developing any kind of ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |