Global Powers Demand Iran Allow Access To Its Nuclear Sites

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the U.S., China, Russia, France and Britain -- plus Germany, have again called on Iran to submit to the demands of the UN’s nuclear watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relating to Tehran’s nuclear program.

We remain concerned by Iran's persistent failure to comply with its obligations under [UN Security Council] resolutions and to meet the requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors Resolutions, the nations said in a statement during a non-proliferation meeting in Vienna.

We stress the need and urgency for Iran to reach an agreement with the IAEA on a structured approach, including on access to relevant sites and information... to resolve all outstanding issues, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions [of Tehran's nuclear program].”

The IAEA has already demanded access to Iran’s atomic sites as long ago as November when it released a report detailing its suspicions that the Iranians were planning to develop nuclear bombs.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is designed purely for peaceful purposes, but has also consistently denied meaningful access to its nuclear facilities by foreign agencies.

In February, IAEA officials visited Iran, but complained they were not allowed to enter the Parchin military site near Tehran, where it is believed Iranians are conducting explosives testing for warhead research.

The IAEA said the five powers and Germany will talk to Iranian nuclear officials in Vienna on May 14-15.

The five aforementioned nations (plus Germany) are also meeting with Iranian government officials in Baghdad, Iraq later this month to again find a compromise on the nuclear issue, following last month’s meetings in Istanbul, Turkey.

Voice of America (VOA) reported that while Iranian officials are optimistic about achieving progress in the talks, they will not relinquish their right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Majdi Akhondzadeh said Wednesday in Vienna that Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program presents the gravest threat to security in the Middle East.

Israel, which has never denied nor confirmed that it possesses nuclear weapons, is alarmed by Iran’s atomic ambitions and has warned it may launch a military strike on the Islamic Republic.