“I call on Iran to continue the negotiation process” with the European Union, ElBaradei said after Iran asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to remove seals on crucial machinery so that it can resume uranium ore conversion.
The EU is on Sunday to propose trade, security and technology benefits to Iran in return for guarantees that Tehran is not trying to make nuclear weapons.
ElBaradei urged Iran, in a statement released to the press, “not to take any action that might prejudice the process at this critical stage when the (European Union is) … expected to deliver a package addressing security and political, economic and nuclear issues.”
The IAEA said in a note to Iran on Monday that it would install “additional surveillance equipment” at Iran’s conversion facility in Isfahan but could not do so before next week, according to an information circular released to the press.
The IAEA said it was “essential that Iran refrain from removing the agency’s seals and from moving any nuclear material at UCF (uranium conversion facility) until such time as the surveillance equipment is installed and the agency has verified the material.”
ElBaradei said: “I also call on Iran not to take any unilateral action that could undermine the agency inspection process at a time when the agency is making steady progress in resolving outstanding issues” with Tehran.
