IAEA blocks Iranian request for nuclear aid

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-24-2006 11:35

The IAEA's 35 nation board on Thursday unanimously denied Iran's request for technical help in building a plutonium-producing reactor, but left room for Tehran to resubmit its request. Just hours later, Iran said it would continue its heavy water nuclear reactor program, even without IAEA's assistance. (Related : Iran to continue nuclear reactor program without IAEA assistance)

The IAEA accepted a text approving all requests for IAEA technical aid - "with the exception of" the Arak plutonium-producing reactor, or heavy water reactor.

Last week, Iran requested assistance on 8 projects, including the Arak reactor.

As the plutonium reprocessing can also produce fissile material for nuclear weapons, the IAEA is concerned that Iran might use it for military purpose. The IAEA won't help for at least the next two years. But after that period, new requests will be considered and the Arak project request can be resubmitted.

IAEA Chief, Mohamed Elbaradei said "We are going through a period of standstill in our efforts to move forward to clarify the remaining outstanding issues in Iran."

But Elbaradei said Iran had recently compromised on two issues. He described the concessions as important, saying it would allow the agency to gain further understanding of how successful Iran's enrichment efforts were and possibly determined the origin of its uranium.

Just hours after the IAEA decision, Iran said it would continue with the program.

The Chief Iranian representative, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh said "There's no doubt that Iran and the Iranian government is determined to continue the construction of this heavy water reactor, because the hospitals desperately need the radio isotopes which is producing by Tehran's 5 megawatt research reactor which is outdated."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated part of the Arak reactor in late August. The project should be completed in 2009.

Editor:Sun Luying