Iran rapped over nuclear cover-ups

Iran avoided sanctions in a sharply-worded resolution approved today by the UN nuclear watchdog agency today, but was censured for past cover-ups.

Tehran was also warned to be more forthcoming if it wants an end to an investigation into suspected activities.

In harsh language, the resolution approved by the 35-member board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna “deplores” that “Iran’s cooperation has not been as full, timely and proactive as it should have been.”

It notes “with concern that after almost two years” since Iran’s undeclared programme came to light, “a number of questions remain outstanding”.

The resolution submitted by three European powers – Britain, France and Germany – was a product of days of diplomatic manoeuvring over the right wording.

As the agency put final touches on the wording, diplomats said the IAEA was looking into accusations that Iran was razing parts of a restricted area next to a military complex in a Tehran suburb.

Satellite photos showed that several buildings had been destroyed and top soil had been removed at Lavizan Shiyan, one diplomat said.

Iran’s chief delegate to the Vienna meeting of the IAEA’s board of governors, Hossein Mousavian, denied a cover-up and said the watchdog was free to see the site, adding “there is nothing there”.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher accused Iran of deception that “has gone to the extent of bulldozing entire sites to prevent the IAEA from discovering evidence of its nuclear weapons programme.”

Boucher said commercial satellite photography shows the complete dismantling and the razing of a facility at Lavizan Shiyan, previously disclosed as a possible site for weapons of mass destruction.

Most of the questions that remain outstanding relate to the sources of highly enriched uranium – which at sufficiently high levels can be used to make nuclear warheads – found at several sites in Iran and the extent and nature of work undertaken on the basis of the P-2 advanced centrifuge design.

Even though the resolution does not give a deadline, it states it is essential for Iran to deal with issues ”within the next few months”.

It also does not contain a “trigger mechanism” – a clause sought by Washington that could send the Iran case to the UN Security Council for violating the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Tehran insists the minute finds of highly enriched uranium were not produced domestically but were inadvertently imported when it made purchases through the nuclear black market – an assertion the agency has not yet proven.

While Tehran maintains its is interested only to generate electricity, the United States claim Iran’s nuclear activities are a smoke screen for a weapons program.

In a clear warning to Iran that its activities will be closely followed, the text of the resolution also asks IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei to report on his findings “well in advance” of the next planned board meeting in September if warranted.