IAEA chief says Iran not cooperating

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency says he cannot confirm that all of Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful.

Yukiya Amano told an IAEA board of governors meeting,on Monday that Iran is not doing enough to observe relevant resolutions of the IAEA and the UN Security Council. But Iran's chief delegate to the IAEA has denied the accusation.

The Chief of the UN nuclear watchdog has accused Iran of not sufficiently cooperating with an investigation into its nuclear activities.

According to Yukiya Amano, this has led to the organization's inability to confirm that all nuclear material in the country is for peaceful purposes.

He gives his thoughts on what path the country should follow.

Yukiya Amano, director general, IAEA, said, "I request Iran to take steps towards the full implementation of its Safeguards Agreement and its other obligations as a matter of high priority."

However, Iran's chief delegate to the IAEA, says Iran is cooperating, in a level unprecedented before.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to IAEA, said, "The agency is able to continue verification of non-diversion of nuclear material and activities. It means that Iran is continuing its cooperation and all nuclear activities is for the peaceful purposes under the surveillance of the agency."

Iran's ambassador warns that further sanctions would be counter-productive, saying that interference from the UN Security Council will only complicate matters.

Iran started enriching uranium to nearly 20 percent about three weeks ago, up from the previous 3 and a half percent level. The move has increased international concern since it has moved the country closer to producing weapons-grade uranium. Iran insists it's doing so to create nuclear fuel for a research reactor.