Iran to answer IAEA’s new questions if alleged studies declared closed: official

June 6, 2011 - 0:0

TEHRAN – An Iranian diplomat says Tehran is ready to answer the International Atomic Energy Agency’s new questions about its nuclear program if the agency declares the alleged weapons studies “closed”.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh announced that Atomic Energy Organization of Iran chief Fereydoun Abbasi has replied to IAEA director Yukiya Amano’s recent letter, rejecting claims that Iran plans to develop nuclear weapons and urging the IAEA to put aside the alleged weapons studies.
“In (Abbasi’s) letter, the IAEA director general has been asked to declare closed the alleged studies, and if this matter is declared closed and Iran’s (nuclear) dossier is returned to normal status, Iran is ready to cooperate on any (new) question and accusation,” Soltanieh explained.
He added that Iran in a 118-page document has responded to the issue of alleged studies, proving that the claims are unfounded.
Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA also said that the Islamic Republic has cleared up all the ambiguities over its nuclear activities under the modality plan signed by Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog in 2007, and at the time it was agreed that no new issue is raised, but the IAEA has reneged on the agreement.
“Based on the modality (plan), all the matters between Iran and the IAEA are closed, so the agency should put away the issues relating to the modality (plan),” he said.
“If the agency declares closed the issues relating to modality (plan), Iran is ready to answer (new questions), but (cooperation) is impossible if the agency doesn’t meet its commitments,” he added.