UN nuclear watchdog chief circulates latest report on Iran

The head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has circulated his latest report on the nuclear programme of Iran to the agency’s Board of Governors.

The report covers the developments since the last report of IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei, which was issued in May, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters.

The 35-member Board will now consider the report at its next meeting, scheduled to begin at IAEA headquarters in Vienna on 10 September.

In his last report, Mr. ElBaradei voiced concern over the situation with Iran, which he said needed to do more to dispel the fears of the international community regarding the country’s nuclear programme.

Last December, the Security Council adopted a resolution banning trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to the country's enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. It tightened the measures in March, banning arms sales and expanding the freeze on assets.

Earlier this week, however, the IAEA published on its website, at the request of Iran, the text of a joint work plan which states that Iran has addressed the agency’s questions about its past plutonium programme and both parties now consider that matter resolved.