"With unilateral military actions, countries are undermining international agreements, and we are at a historic turning point," International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed ElBardei told German weekly Der Spiegel in reference to Israel's aerial attack on
a Syrian nuclear facility in September and the threat made by Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz to attack Iran
if the Islamic Republic "continues with its program to develop a nuclear bomb".
| Nuclear Program |
|
| ElBaradei: Intelligence on Iran's nuclear research 'matter of serious concern' / Reuters |
|
'Islamic Republic has not yet agreed to implement all the transparency measures required to clarify allegations over its nuclear ambitions,' IAEA director says |
| Full Story |
|
|
|
Mofaz was quoted on Friday in an Israeli newspaper saying that an attack on Iran looks "unavoidable" given the apparent failure of sanctions to deny Tehran technology with bomb-making potential.
In the interview, which will be published in its entirety on Tuesday, United Nations' chief nuclear inspector told Der Spiegel he believes there is a growing threat to global peace through the build-up of nuclear arms and the increasing penchant of counties to bomb suspected nuclear facilities.
ElBardei slammed Tehran's leadership, saying "the readiness on Iran's side to cooperate leaves a lot to be desired. We have pressing questions."
According to him, Iran's leadership is "sending a message to the entire world: We can build a bomb in relatively short time."
ElBardei was also quoted by Der Spiegel as saying he expected "absolute transparency" from Syria, adding that during an inspection trip scheduled for June 22-24, an IAEA delegation would demand visits to a number of locations that may have delivered components to the destroyed facility.
Meanwhile, Iran demanded action from the UN Security Council regarding Mofaz's statement, according to a letter released on Saturday by Iranian UN Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee.
"Such a dangerous threat against a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations constitutes a manifest violation of international law and contravenes the most fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and, thus, requires a resolute and clear response on the part of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council," Khazaee's letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, dated June 6, said.
Reuters contributed to the report
RSS
