IAEA Chief Asks Iran to Fully Address All Questions Regarding Its Nuclear Program

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has requested that Iran provide complete answers to all questions regarding its nuclear program, including concerns related to uranium enrichment. Mohamed ElBaradei spoke with reporters in Vienna today, where a four-day meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors is taking place. He urged Iran to demonstrate full transparency in relation to the UN-affiliated agency. He also called on the Tehran government to sign the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would allow IAEA inspectors to conduct unannounced visits to Iran's nuclear facilities. Ali Akbar Salehi, the Islamic Republic's ambassador in Vienna, told reporters that his government's decision will depend on the outcome of the current IAEA meeting. Iran insists that the goal of its nuclear program is electricity generation and is prepared to discuss inspection issues with the IAEA. A confidential IAEA report obtained last month by Western news agencies indicated that signs of highly enriched uranium were observed at one of Iran's nuclear facilities. Washington claims that Iran is attempting to produce nuclear weapons.