Peres to IAEA chief: Iran threat to entire world
During meeting on sidelines of World Economic Forum in Davos, president tells Amano 'fanatical' regime in Tehran 'not respecting' nuclear watchdog's decisions
"Nuclear weapons in the hands of a fanatical regime such as Iran's pose a threat not only to Israel but to the entire world," President Shimon Peres told International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The meeting with Peres was Amano's first with a senior Israeli official since he took over for Mohamed ElBaradei as the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog in December, 2009.
Peres urged the IAEA to work towards curbing Iran's nuclear program. "I hope that under your leadership the (IAEA) will act in a serious and determined manner against Iran's nuclear armament," Peres said during the meeting.
"The IAEA's work is based on trust, and Iran does not respect the organization's decisions," the Israeli president said.
'IAEA's work based on trust.' Peres (L) and Amano in Davos (Photo: Ido Shrir)
On Friday Amano said dialogue was continuing on a draft deal on enriched uranium between Iran and world powers despite Tehran's rejection of terms meant to prevent the material being used for atomic bombs.
Western diplomats have said Iran has effectively turned down the IAEA-brokered proposal and the United States and major European allies are pursuing broader UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear activity.
"The proposal is on the table. Dialogue is continuing," said the IAEA director-general in his first public remarks on the standoff since he succeeded ElBaradei.
