IAEA starts to examine Iranian nuclear documents

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today said he had received documentation on Iran’s nuclear programme and would “embark on an intensive verification process.”

Mohammed ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency said he received the material from Iran’s Ambassador to Vienna, and was assured the information was “comprehensive and accurate,” a UN spokesperson said today in New York.

The spokesperson, Hua Jiang, said Mr. ElBaradei told reporters, “We are in a new phase. I welcome both the decision by Iran to provide what is hopefully a comprehensive and accurate declaration, as well as its decision to conclude an additional protocol.”

Mr. ElBaradei said the additional agreement would help the IAEA to regulate future nuclear activity in Iran.

The Director-General will report on Iran at an IAEA board meeting on 20 November. The delivery by Iran of today’s documents comes eight days before a deadline set by the IAEA.