UN sees "clear benchmark" of Iran's nuclear breaches

Dec 10, 2010, 20:45 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council discussed Friday a fresh report on Iran's nuclear activities, which a diplomat said provided the basis to judge Iran's non-compliance with its international obligations.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report showed that Iran has not suspended uranium enrichment activities or heavy water-related projects as demanded by the 15-nation council.

The report said Tehran has yet to inform the IAEA whether it intended to proceed with the construction of 10 new nuclear enrichment facilities and it has refused to provide information on the 'possible military dimensions' of its nuclear programme since 2008.

It said Tehran has continued activities on heavy water projects and has refused IAEA access to heavy water production sites. 'Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities,' the report said.

A council panel has been monitoring Iran's violations of UN resolutions that demanded a halt to uranium enrichment activities. 'The panel will have a full agenda, investigating reported violations, and travelling to various regions to focus on implementation,' Grant said during a meeting of the council at UN headquarters in New York.

Grant said the IAEA report was issued following last week's talks in Geneva between Tehran and the council's five permanent members plus Germany. They agreed to meet again in January in Turkey, which Grant said was a welcome and positive step.

'But we are clear that the next talks should include a candid discussion on the many international concerns relating to the Iranian nuclear programme,' Grant said.

'And Iran needs to show real progress in addressing these concerns. We remain determined to resolve these matters through dialogue and diplomacy,' he said. 'We hope that the January meeting will help achieve that goal.'

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