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Iran agrees to nuclear inspections - EU, US remain concerned

Published 18 December 2003 - Updated 29 January 2010
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Iran
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The EU and the US reiterate their concerns as Iran prepares to sign an agreement to allow intrusive and unannounced inspections of its nuclear sites.

Background: 
Iran is scheduled to sign on 18 December 2003 an additional protocol to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to authorise tougher inspections of suspect sites. A spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the decision had been made. The protocol requires Iran to submit to intrusive and unannounced UN inspections of its nuclear complexes and research facilities.

Tehran's move, however, has elicited further concerns on both sides of the Atlantic (see also

EurActiv 19 November 2003). The US State Department welcomed the move but said that Iran's signing of the protocol will not be enough to assuage concerns about the country's nuclear programme.

According to German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, EU leaders also remain concerned about Iran's apparent efforts to develop an atomic programme. "Iranian efforts to master the entire fuel cycle are extremely disquieting", Mr Fischer told a security conference in Israel. Mr Fischer referred to an earlier statement by the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, according to which Tehran "wants to control the whole fuel cycle" as part of its plans to build seven new nuclear power plants.

Iran insists that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

 

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