Official: Iran’s N. Activities Transparent, Peaceful

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi underlined transparency of Iran’s nuclear program, reminding that all the country’s nuclear activities have been carried out under the full inspection of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cameras and inspectors.
Salehi pointed to the IAEA experts’ numerous inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, and dismissed as baseless the accusations of some western countries on alleged deviation in Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.

He further stressed that the IAEA inspectors have no right to inspect Iran’s military and missile sites and there is no treaty on the issue.

In mid-November, Director-General of the IAEA Yukiya Amano and Salehi signed a joint statement which presents a roadmap for future cooperation to resolve the remaining issues between the two sides.

According to the statement, the IAEA and Iran agreed on November 11, 2013 to strengthen their cooperation and dialogue aimed at ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program through the resolution of all outstanding issues that have not already been resolved by the IAEA.

“The IAEA agreed to continue to take into account Iran’s security concerns, including through the use of managed access and the protection of confidential information,” the statement said.

According to the statement, it was agreed that Iran and the IAEA will cooperate further with respect to verification activities to be undertaken by the IAEA to resolve all present and past issues. It is foreseen that Iran’s cooperation will include providing the IAEA with timely information about its nuclear facilities and in regard to the implementation of transparency measures. Activities will proceed in a step-by-step manner.

“As a first step, Iran and the IAEA agreed to the practical measures listed in the attached Annex. Iran will provide the access and information within three months from the date of the statement (today). The IAEA will report to the Board of Governors on progress in the implementation of these measures,” it said.

Annex to the Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation of 11 November 2013

Initial Practical Measures to be Taken by Iran within Three Months

1. Providing mutually agreed relevant information and managed access to the Gahine mine in Bandar Abbas

2. Providing mutually agreed relevant information and managed access to the Heavy Water Production Plant

3. Providing information on all new research reactors

4. Providing information with regard to the identification of 16 sites designated for the construction of nuclear power plants

5. Clarification of the announcement made by Iran regarding additional enrichment facilities

6. Further clarification of the announcement made by Iran with respect to laser enrichment technology

In a joint press conference after endorsing the agreement with Salehi at the time, Amano appreciated Tehran for its increased cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and the “important steps” it has taken for the verification of its nuclear activities.

“Important measures have been taken (by Iran), but more jobs have still remained to be done and we will pursue them in the next steps,” Amano said in a joint press conference with Salehi.

Noting that Iran and the IAEA have agreed on a joint statement, he said, “The statement specifies the framework of Iran-IAEA cooperation on verification (of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities).”