Obama: Iran must let inspectors into nuclear plant
In wake of resuming talks with Iran US President says Tehran must grant access to newly disclosed nuclear site within two weeks . 'We're not interested in talking for the sake of talking,' Obama says
President Barack Obama on Thursday called landmark international talks with Iran on its nuclear program "a constructive beginning" but said that Iran must match its promises of cooperation with deeds.
Now that Iran has agreed to open its newly disclosed nuclear enrichment facility to international inspectors, it "must grant unfettered access" to those inspectors within two weeks, Obama said.
"Talk is no substitute for action," Obama said at the White House after talks ended earlier in the day in Switzerland. "Our patience is not unlimited."
Obama said that if Iran follows through with concrete steps "there is a path to a better relationship" with the United States and the international community.
He said that Iran's promise during the talks to transfer some of its low-enriched uranium to another country for processing is an example of such a step. The uranium would be used in a medical-research reactor.
Thursday's meeting at a villa in Switzerland marked the first time the United States has taken part in such talks. The US has no diplomatic relations with Iran.
The meeting took place between Iran and six world powers: The US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.
"This is a constructive beginning but hard work lies ahead," Obama said. He said that as a first step, "Iran must demonstrate its commitment to transparency."
"Earlier this month we presented clear evidence that Iran has been building a covert nuclear facility in Qom. Since Iran has now agreed to cooperate fully and immediately with the International Atomic Energy Agency, it must grant unfettered access to IAEA inspectors within two weeks," Obama said.
'We won't negotiate indefinitely'
"Going forward," we expect to see swift action," Obama said. Echoing a comment earlier today by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama said, "we're not interested in talking for the sake of talking."
If Iran fails to follow through in living up to its international obligations, "then the United States will not continue to negotiate indefinitely and we are prepared to move to increased pressure," the president warned.
Earlier, Clinton said the talks had opened the door to potential progress on clarifying Iran's nuclear ambitions.
But Clinton struck a cautious tone in talking to reporters in Washington shortly after the talks in Switzerland ended and said it remained to be seen whether the Iranians would act decisively to address concerns about their intentions.
