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IAEA board to debate Iran report | IAEA board to debate Iran report |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The governing board of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is meeting to discuss its latest report on Iran. | The governing board of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, is meeting to discuss its latest report on Iran. |
The report found that Iran is still enriching uranium in defiance of the UN but that Tehran was also providing more answers about its past nuclear work. | |
Some Western countries, led by the US, are pushing for tougher sanctions against Iran. | |
On Thursday Iran said it was open to more talks but would not respond to threats of force. | |
The discussions at the International Atomic Energy Agency's headquarters in Vienna should provide an indication of where its 35 member-states stand on the issue of further sanctions. | The discussions at the International Atomic Energy Agency's headquarters in Vienna should provide an indication of where its 35 member-states stand on the issue of further sanctions. |
The US and its European allies on the permanent UN Security Council - France and Britain - fear Tehran is enriching uranium in order to build nuclear weapons and are pushing for a third round of UN sanctions. | The US and its European allies on the permanent UN Security Council - France and Britain - fear Tehran is enriching uranium in order to build nuclear weapons and are pushing for a third round of UN sanctions. |
Russia and China, the other two permanent members of the Security Council, are reluctant to pursue sanctions, saying further negotiations are needed. | Russia and China, the other two permanent members of the Security Council, are reluctant to pursue sanctions, saying further negotiations are needed. |
'More co-operation needed' | 'More co-operation needed' |
The Vienna meeting will also provide IAEA chief Mohammed ElBaradei with an opportunity to defend his "work plan" with Iran. | The Vienna meeting will also provide IAEA chief Mohammed ElBaradei with an opportunity to defend his "work plan" with Iran. |
That plan set up a mechanism for Tehran to provide more clarity about its nuclear programme. | That plan set up a mechanism for Tehran to provide more clarity about its nuclear programme. |
Mr ElBaradei said questions remain about Iran's nuclear programmeIn the latest report, Mr ElBaradei said Iran has provided more information on past aspects of its nuclear programme. | Mr ElBaradei said questions remain about Iran's nuclear programmeIn the latest report, Mr ElBaradei said Iran has provided more information on past aspects of its nuclear programme. |
But he said more co-operation is needed to explain current activity, including traces of highly enriched, or weapons grade, uranium that inspectors have found at nuclear sites. | But he said more co-operation is needed to explain current activity, including traces of highly enriched, or weapons grade, uranium that inspectors have found at nuclear sites. |
Mr ElBaradei has faced criticism that his work plan has given Iran the chance to delay more international sanctions. | Mr ElBaradei has faced criticism that his work plan has given Iran the chance to delay more international sanctions. |
Uranium can be enriched for use as fuel in power plants, but more highly enriched it can be used to make weapons. | Uranium can be enriched for use as fuel in power plants, but more highly enriched it can be used to make weapons. |
Iran insists that its programme is for civilian energy purposes only and refuses to accede to demands that it suspend uranium enrichment until international fears are dispelled. | Iran insists that its programme is for civilian energy purposes only and refuses to accede to demands that it suspend uranium enrichment until international fears are dispelled. |
Its top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said on Thursday that Iran opposed weapons of mass destruction and was open to more talks on the nuclear issue. | |
But he said Iran would not be "deprived of its rights" through what he called "political motives". | |
Mr Jalili said he would meet European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in London on 30 November to discuss nuclear issues, although Mr Solana's office has yet to confirm a date. |