Middle East News
IAEA concerned over Iranian enrichment boost
Feb 8, 2010, 19:16 GMT
Vienna - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano said Monday he was concerned about Iran's announcement that it would ramp up its uranium enrichment programme.
The IAEA has tried since October to get Tehran to sign on to a multinational deal under which Russia and France would enrich Iranian uranium to a level of nearly 20 per cent and turn it into nuclear fuel.
However, Tehran notified the Vienna-based nuclear agency that it would start carrying out this work itself, as Iranian officials said they would no longer wait for world powers to react to their counterpoposals on the deal.
'IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano noted with concern this decision, as it may affect, in particular, ongoing international efforts to ensure the availability of nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor,' IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor said.
However, Amano remained ready to play an intermediary role in the proposed deal, which also has the support of the United States, Tudor said.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates called for new sanctions against the Islamic state earlier Monday, while the British Foreign Office urged Iran to abandon its 'contradictory rhetoric' and engage in negotiations.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
