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Iran misses nuclear deadline

September 5, 2014

Iran has failed to keep up with a timeline to answer questions on its nuclear program. The UN's nuclear watchdog released this information in its quarterly report.

https://p.dw.com/p/1D7rU
The Iranian flag in front of the International Center in Vienna
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that the international community's effort to probe allegations of Iran's secretive nuclear program has failed to bring any results.

Teheran was supposed to answer questions on several suspicious research programs and provide information on high explosives testing and computer simulation work until August 25.

According to the IAEA, Iran had only provided information about special detonators which could be used as nuclear warheads until now and had implemented only three of the five steps on nuclear transparency.

The international community has expressed concerns based on the IAEA's findings that Iran may be developing capabilities to quickly turn high-grade uranium or plutonium into material suitable for weapons.

The IAEA expressed its worries in the report: "The Agency remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of the undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile."

Teheran says that the findings are false and that its projects are focused on civilian nuclear energy. The country also promised cooperation with the IAEA since the election of President Hassan Rouhani, known to be a pragmatist.

Positive results

On a positive note, Iran effectively got rid of its stock of uranium that had been enriched to 20 percent, the IAEA said in its report.

The report also emphasized that Iran's engagement with the IAEA was helping it to understand the country's nuclear program. Teheran also did not indulge in any further enrichment of low-grade uranium and there were no new components installed at the Arak reactor which produces plutonium.

However, the UN Security Council's five permanent members, US, Russia, China, France, UK, plus Germany, have said that the success of the discussions would depend on Iran's readiness to cooperate with the IAEA's probe.

Senior US and Iranian officials are also holding talks for the second day running to prepare for a summit with Iran and the six powers on September 18 in New York. The five UN Security Council members and Germany aim to conclude an agreement on Iran by November 24 this year.

mg/dr (Reuters, dpa, AFP)