UN OKs Iran deal to suspend enrichment

The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has endorsed Iran's agreement to suspend all uranium enrichment within a week, the key element of a deal worked out with European countries.

The agreement, detailed in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, commits Iran to suspending enrichment while it works out the details of an aid package with the Europeans.

However, the IAEA report said questions remain about whether Iran was trying to develop technology to make nuclear arms.

It said all nuclear material that Iran declared to the agency in the past year has been accounted for and such material is not diverted to prohibited weapons activities.

But it also said the agency was "not yet in the position to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials" that could have been used for a weapons program.

In Brussels, European officials said the agreement could generate international confidence that Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the deal represents "a significant development in relations between Europe and Iran."

In Tehran, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Hasan Rowhani, emphasized that the freeze is a voluntary suspension of enrichment.

Source: CRI News