BICOM

During this week’s board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ (UN) nuclear watchdog, both the European Union (EU) and United States criticised Iran’s failure to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear development.

Reuters reports that the EU representation at the board meeting told Tehran that “further procrastination is unacceptable.” Both the EU and United States’ delegates warned Iran that if no progress was made in granting access to international inspectors at Iranian nuclear sites, then the IAEA board could recommend diplomatic action at its next quarterly meeting in late November. US Ambassador to the body, Joseph Macmanus said that he hoped the government of new Iranian President Hassan Rowhani “will live up to its assurances of transparency and cooperation by taking concrete steps over the next several months.” However, he warned that “should Iran continue its intransigence and obfuscation” then diplomatic action would ensue.

Macmanus also expressed concern at “troubling developments” revealed in the latest IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear activities published last month. The report outlined that Tehran is continuing to grow its capability to enrich uranium. In particular, it highlighted a significant increase in the number of advanced centrifuges at Iran’s central enrichment facility at Natanz, enabling the rapid enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade material. Earlier this week, IAEA director general Yukiya Amano said that the body “cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities” as “Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation.” Amano said it is “essential and urgent for Iran to engage with us.”

However, a report in the Los Angeles Times this morning claims that the United States and Iran have been communicating over issues such as Syria and suggests that US officials could meet with President Rowhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.