EU Allows More Time For Nuclear Diplomacy With Iran

(CTK) 24 November 2005 -- The British ambassador to the UN's nuclear energy agency said today that the European Union has agreed to give Iran more time to negotiate over its nuclear program.

The comment came as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors was in a crucial meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna to discuss the standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

The IAEA board has come under intense pressure -- particularly from the United States and Britain, who suspect Tehran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons -- to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

British Ambassador to the IAEA Peter Jenkins told reporters in Vienna that the EU's move comes as several IAEA board members requested "more time for diplomatic dialogue on the future of Iran's nuclear program."

Iranian officials reject charges that the country is seeking to develop and produce nuclear weapons, and say its nuclear program is strictly for generating electricity.

(AFP/Reuters/AP)