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Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran

(IAEA) Report by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, June 6, 2003 - • During the regular session of the IAEA General Conference in September 2002, ElBaradei met with the Vice President of Iran who is president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, R. Aghazadeh. • ElBaradei asked that Iran confirm whether it was building a large underground nuclear-related facility at Natanz. Aghazadeh agreed to an IAEA visit that took place in February 2003. • During his visit, ElBaradei was informed by Iran of its nuclear enrichment program which included two new facilities located at Natanz, including a pilot fuel enrichment program, nearing completion, and a large commercial-scale fuel-enrichment plant, under construction. Since March 2003, IAEA inspectors have visited Natanz three times and taken environmental samples. • IAEA found that Iran failed to meet its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement with respect to the reporting of nuclear material. It failed to declare the import of natural uranium in 1991 and its subsequent transfer for further processing. So far the quantity of nuclear material is not large and it would need further processing before being suitable for use in a nuclear explosive device. • ElBaradei encouraged Iran to conclude an additional protocol, without which IAEA's ability to provide credible assurances regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear activities is limited.
2003-08-27 00:00:00
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