IAEA Chief: Iran nuclear investigation at "dead end"

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says his probe into the nature of Iran's nuclear program is at "a dead end." Mohamed Elbaradei blames Tehran for not cooperating fully with the agency. The IAEA chief's remarks are seen as an unusually blunt expression of frustration four days before he leaves office.

Elbaradei made the comments Thursday at the opening session of the agency's 35-nation board of governors in Vienna. He criticized Tehran for not accepting an internationally endorsed plan meant to allay fears about its nuclear activities. The plan would commit Tehran to ship out 70 percent of its low-enriched uranium for processing into fuel rods for its research reactor in Tehran.

Elbaradei said, "It is now well over a year since the agency was last able to engage Iran in discussions about these outstanding issues. We have effectively reached a dead end, unless Iran engages fully with us. It would help if we are able to share with Iran more of the material that is at the center of these concerns."

Elbaradei emphasized the need for talks rather than threats in engaging with Tehran. The IAEA suspects that Iran is using a civilian nuclear program as a cover for a nuclear weapons program. Iran denies this, and says its uranium enrichment program is only for peaceful purposes.