TEHRAN, Aug 30: Iran on Thursday welcomed a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear work, which the United States accuses of being aimed at weapons development.“We thank the IAEA for its professional approach to this issue and we hope this path can continue to be pursued,” Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran’s Atomic energy organisation, told the official IRNA news agency.

“This report puts an end to all unfounded US accusations over Iran’s separation and reprocessing plutonium activities,” he said.

In a confidential report on Thursday the IAEA said Iran’s agreement to answer key questions about its nuclear programme was “a significant step forward,” but that it must do more to build confidence it does not seek atomic weapons.

Iran says it has a right to enrichment as a member of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and insists its nuclear programme is for civilian ends.

The United States said that Iran is playing at cooperating with the IAEA in order to avoid further UN sanctions, and that it is still defying the UN demand to stop making enriched uranium.—AFP