IAEA Meets On Iran As New Sanctions Loom

Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant

The UN atomic watchdog is starting a week-long meeting in Vienna today, with Iran's controversial nuclear program at the top of the agenda.

The meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-member board of governors comes as the UN Security Council prepares to pass another round of punitive measures against Iran over its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear activities.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Yukiya Amano told the board in his opening speech that Iran has refused to cooperate with the IAEA.

"While the agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," Amano said.

The latest IAEA report last week said Iran had produced almost six kilograms of higher-enriched uranium, ostensibly for a medical research reactor. But the West fears the material could be ultimately intended for a nuclear weapon.

The Vienna meeting will also discuss wider issues concerning nuclear programs in the Middle East.

compiled from agency reports