The ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Thursday the recent IAEA report indicates that Tehran's nuclear program is completely "transparent".
"The report contains details about sites, number of centrifuges, amount of (nuclear) material whether enriched or not, number of manufactured fuel plates, numerous inspections, samplings and their results… which indicates full transparency of Iran's peaceful nuclear program," Reza Najafi told IRNA.
He said the UN nuclear agency's first report on Iran in 2015, which was released to member states on Thursday, testifies to the fact that Iran is continuing its peaceful nuclear activities under IAEA's supervision.
He went on to say that the report once again confirmed that Iran is meeting its commitments under an interim nuclear agreement it signed with the major powers in Geneva in November 2013.
Elsewhere, Najafi pointed to the agency's investigation into what it calls possible military dimensions (PMD) to Iran's nuclear activity and said, "Repeating such baseless claims will not add to their credibility."
On the nuclear transparency measures that Iran has agreed to implement as part of a framework agreement on further cooperation it signed with the UN nuclear watchdog in late 2013, the ambassador said Iran has completed most of the measures and with regard to the two remaining steps, Tehran has announced it ready to allow IAEA inspectors "managed access" to the alleged site in the Marivan region in western Iran, where the agency claims high explosive tests that could be relevant for any effort to develop nuclear weapons may have been conducted, to help advance the work.
Araqchi-Amano Meeting
In addition, Najafi said senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi is scheduled to travel to Vienna next week to meet with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.
According to Reuters, the confidential IAEA report claimed that Tehran was continuing to withhold full cooperation in two areas of the IAEA investigation.
"Iran has not provided any explanations that enable the agency to clarify the outstanding practical measures," the IAEA said, referring to allegations of explosives tests and alleged studies that could be used to develop nuclear bombs.
The document on the inquiry, which has run parallel to the major powers' talks with Iran on a long-term settlement to the 12-year dispute over Tehran's nuclear program, was issued to IAEA member states only weeks before a deadline in late March for a framework agreement between Iran and the six powers (the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany).
The seven countries have imposed a June 30 deadline on themselves for a final deal. Iran denies any intention of seeking nuclear weapons capability, saying its nuclear program is only aimed at peaceful applications, including generating electricity.
The deal sought by the powers would have Iran accept limits to its uranium enrichment capacity and open up to rigorous IAEA inspections for a specified period of time to help ensure its nuclear work will remain peaceful. The major powers also say they want Iran to resolve all IAEA questions to build trust in its nuclear activities.
In return, Iran would see a lifting of international trade and financial sanctions that have negatively affected its economy.
A senior diplomat told Reuters all issues in the inquiry barring possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear activity were being tackled well, but "with respect to PMD, progress is very slow, if there is any progress at all at this point in time."
According to the New York Times, the IAEA report reaffirmed that Iran had complied with its responsibilities under the interim agreement.
The report also said the agency "remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear-related activities," adding, "The agency is not in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
