TEHRAN, May 30: Iran warned the UN nuclear watchdog on Sunday not to put too much pressure on the Islamic republic lest its clerical rulers end their cooperation altogether.
"Iran is still bound by its commitments," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.
"There is no sign from our side that we will question our cooperation, but the agency should not create an atmosphere that pushes our leadership to doubt this cooperation," he cautioned.
His comments came two weeks before the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is due to again examine Iran's dossier amid ongoing suspicions that Iran is using a bid to generate nuclear power as a cover for secret weapons development.
Iran insists that its nuclear programme is purely peaceful, and last year signed an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing tougher IAEA inspections.
The country has also suspended uranium enrichment, amid widespread international concern that it was close to producing weapons-grade material. "We have shown the greatest cooperation with inspectors and have placed no restrictions on their work," Asefi said, dismissing reports from diplomats that IAEA teams have been prevented from visiting some military sites.
He said Iran was hoping that during its June meeting the IAEA would examine the Islamic republic's case "without politicising it and so that the dossier can be closed as soon as possible".
"There is pressure on the agency," he added, referring to lobbying from the United States, "but if the (IAEA) board of governors work diligently, there is no reason why the dossier should not be closed." Although Iran has been urging the IAEA to pull Iran's case off the top of its agenda, President Mohammad Khatami has acknowledged that no such step will be taken during the June meeting. -AFP
