Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

IAEA technical team due in Tehran tomorrow

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 5, IRNA
Iran-IAEA-Hosseini
International Atomic Energy Agency's technical team is to arrive here on Monday to discuss technical aspects of Iran's nuclear issue with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran's (AEOI) officials.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said Sunday that the IAEA team will talk with the Iranian side on drawing up the guidelines for inspection of Natanz nuclear facilities.

In an IAEA statement, issued on July 13 following the first round of Tehran-IAEA talks, Iran would agree with finalization of arrangements for implementing Safeguards in Natanz nuclear facilities.

The guideline drawn by the two sides would specify methods of inspection of and monitoring Natanz enrichment facilities within the framework of Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement.

Once the types of inspection of nuclear facilities are specified, the IAEA would have to observe the framework. Furthermore, calls raised beyond the Safeguards Agreement would henceforth be turned down.

Moreover, following compilation of the guideline for type of inspection of Natanz, similar guidelines for inspection of other nuclear facilities, including inspection to Isfahan uranium enrichment facilities with the framework of Safeguards, would be worked out.

The idea of settling remaining nuclear problems was raised by Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani during his talks in Madrid on May 31.

As the idea was raised following an agreement between Larijani and the IAEA Chief Mohammed ElBaradei on June 23, the first round of the Iran-IAEA talks was held in Tehran on July 11 and the two sides agreed to draw up the frame for settlement of the remaining issues within 60 days.

IAEA Deputy Director General for Safeguards Olli Heinonen's visit to Tehran resulted in agreements between Iran and the IAEA and the second round of bilateral talks was held in Vienna on July 24.

The IAEA inspectors' visit to Arak heavy water facilities on July 24 was based on an agreement reached earlier between the two sides and in fact the first step Tehran has taken in line with its goal and policies.

Despite the decision to suspend codes 1-3 of Minor Arrangements of the IAEA's Safeguards, Iran allowed the IAEA inspectors to inspect Arak facilities, thus proving its good intention once again.

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