Closer Cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency with Iran - 2003-02-22

The head of the United Nations atomic oversight agency says his organization will work more closely with Iran, which is expanding its nuclear industry. Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Saturday after meeting with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Tehran that Iran has the right to pursue its nuclear program for peaceful purposes and for economic and social development. He also welcomed Iran's commitment to provide immediate information about the nuclear facilities it plans to establish in the future. President Khatami welcomed his country's right to access nuclear technology. He also rejected U.S. allegations that Iran's nuclear facilities could be used to produce nuclear weapons, stating that Iran is implementing its nuclear program within the framework of international laws. Iran, which is a member of the international treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, has been encouraged by the International Atomic Energy Agency to sign another protocol that would allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities without prior notice. Mr. ElBaradei, who also heads the inspections of nuclear weapons in Iraq, visited Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz yesterday with a small group of his experts.