BICOM

The six major international powers, including Russia and China, yesterday expressed heavy concern over Iran’s nuclear activities and called on Tehran to comply with plans for an inspection of its facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A joint statement by representatives of UK, US, China, Russia, France and Germany was issued at the IAEA’s board meeting in Vienna, saying “We are deeply concerned that Iran continues to undertake certain nuclear activities contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).” The statement expressed particular concern at Iran’s installation of advanced centrifuges, production of enriched uranium, and construction of a heavy water reactor at Arak. All of these items were highlighted last month in the IAEA’s latest quarterly Safeguards Report published last month.

Yesterday’s statement continued, “We urge once again Iran to comply fully without delay with all of its obligations under the relevant UNSC Resolutions, and to meet the requirements of the Board of Governors.” The six countries pledged that they are “ready for constructive and substantive dialogue with Iran and are looking for a comprehensive and positive response from Iran to their package proposal” to begin an inspection of Iranian nuclear facilities.

IAEA representatives have held ten rounds of talks with Iranian officials since the start of 2012, but have failed to reach an agreement on a framework for international inspections to take place. Speaking earlier this week, IAEA head Yukiya Amano candidly described the ongoing talks as “going around in circles.” A parallel diplomatic track, between the so-called P5+1 forum (United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany) and Iran has also failed to make any real progress in resolving international concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme.