September 2, 2003	Tuesday	Rajab 4, 1424

TEHRAN, Sept 1: With suspense building over whether Iran will allow snap inspections of its nuclear sites, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that there is still a week until the UN nuclear watchdog meets to discuss the matter and that people should “wait and see” what Tehran will do.

“We have a week until September 8,” when the International Atomic Energy Agency meets in Vienna, said Hamid-Reza Asefi. “So wait and see whether Iran does or does not” sign an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

An IAEA report on Iran will be presented to the agency’s board of governors in Vienna. Were Iran to be found in breach of its commitments the matter could be referred to the UN Security Council, which carries the threat of sanctions.

Iran is being pressed to sign the protocol allowing surprise UN inspections of its nuclear facilities by the United States and other parties.—AFP