IAEA resolution on Iran to outreach nuclear domain

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) maintains a cautious pose toward Iran when its board meeting approaches, for its resolution on the country will exert an influence which is to go beyond the nuclear domain.

Seemingly, the IAEA meeting on June 14 is going to frustrate Iran's expectation of closing its nuclear file. However, the agency is far more than aware of the fact that it must not dissatisfy the Islamic republic too much.

IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei has recently submitted a report on the nuclear investigation in Iran, in which he said something comforting the country. "No evidence has been found to prove Iran's nuclear activity related to military program," he said.

El-Baradei's remarks have been repeatedly quoted by Iranian officials, who took the shield to stave off international and domestic pressure.

In Iran, the balance on this issue between the practical-minded leaders and the hardline officials as well as clerics has already become crisp.

The latter camp doubts the government's strategy of cooperation with IAEA, holding that the agency will never grant a just trial on the country.

Though the extremist call for withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty has been ruled out by top leaders such as President Mohammad Khatami and Supreme National Security Council

Secretary Hassan Rowhani, it echoes in the conservative-dominated Parliament and some hardline media.

The government is pressured by the hardliners' political pose, and has to take their idea into account. That can partly explain the reason why Khatami said on May 27 that the country might resume its uranium enrichment and stop cooperation on snap IAEA inspections.

Of course, an unhappy ending is not welcomed by all sides. IAEA is looking for a way out of the dilemma.

An IAEA spokeswoman said Tuesday that the board would issue a resolution at the June 14 meeting, but she "personally" believed that the board's member states will continue to discuss the details of Iran's report.

Predictably, an IAEA resolution harsh to Iran would further frustrate the practical-minded government led by Khatami and stoke hardliners' wrath.

In view of the fact that the presidential elections will be held in a year, the IAEA resolution will certainly cast a subtle impact on Iran's political future.

Source: Xinhua