International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohammed ElBaradei briefs the media before the beginning of a board of governors meeting at Vienna's U.N. headquarters yesterday. The U.N. atomic watchdog's board of governors meeting was to weigh Iran's snub of calls to curb nuclear activity, opening the way to possible U.N. Security Council action over concerns Tehran covertly seeks atom bombs. - REUTERS
VIENNA, (Reuters):
THE INTERNATIONAL Atomic Energy Agency chief said yesterday a deal to defuse a stand-off over Iran's nuclear aims was still feasible and diplomats outlined a compromise that would let Tehran pursue limited atomic research.
Mohamed ElBaradei cited a surge of diplomacy in which Iran has offered not to pursue industrial-scale uranium enrichment for up to two years.
He was speaking before debate on Iran at an IAEA board meeting that could presage U.N. Security Council action.
POSSIBLE EXTENSION
Iran may agree to extend that moratorium if it is permitted to run a small-scale enrichment research programme, said a diplomat close to talks between Iran and the European Union.
Iran's insistence on doing enrichment research has been a red line for the West, eager to ensure Tehran does not acquire technology that can be used for atom bombs. The Islamic Republic says it seeks only nuclear-generated electricity, not weapons.
