UN’s Nuclear Chief Tells Iran to Open Up More

Reuters: The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog Wednesday hailed last week’s offer by Washington of political concessions in European-led talks with Iran but said Tehran must open more to inspections for diplomacy to succeed. Reuters

LONDON – The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog Wednesday hailed last week’s offer by Washington of political concessions in European-led talks with Iran but said Tehran must open more to inspections for diplomacy to succeed.

“I am not sure that the Europeans and Americans can go very far in their negotiations unless they are sure that the past chapter has been closed,” Mohammed ElBaradei told a news conference in London.

ElBaradei said Iran was doing the minimum required of it to fulfil its international obligations on nuclear inspections, but added that it would not be enough.

“In light of more than 20 years of undeclared programs, I would like to see more than just playing by the book,” he said. “I would like to see proactive transparency.”

Last week the United States threw its weight behind European efforts to persuade Iran to give up alleged nuclear weapons ambitions by offering to ease economic sanctions and support Tehran’s bid to join the World Trade Organization.