Iran warns of halting IAEA cooperation

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-13-2007 10:14

Mohamed ElBaradei,Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(File photo)

Iran warns UN sanctions could destroy its willingness to cooperate with an investigation of past nuclear activities. Britain, France and Germany have urged Iran to stop its uranium enrichment immediately despite a deal it has struck with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran's nuclear transparency deal with UN inspectors could be a recipe for delay and the lack of any provision for Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment is unacceptable.

The US and the EU made the comment at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's governing board where tensions flared between Western powers on one side, and IAEA officials and developing nations on the other over the value of Iran's cooperation pledge.

Iran's chief delegate to the agency, says western nations are intentionally downplaying the initial successes of the previous UN inspection into Iran's nuclear programs. He says any interference could wreck the cooperation pact.

IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei defended the IAEA's nuclear transparency plan with Iran. He warns they cannot afford to fail.