Iran Eases Nuke Tensions

[David]

AP


Iran has suspended uranium enrichment and all related activities, state-run radio reported Monday, honoring an agreement with Europe designed to head off possible U.N. sanctions.

"To build confidence and in line with implementing the Paris Agreement, Iran suspended uranium enrichment (and related activities) as of today," said the brief radio announcement.

In Vienna, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said the suspension appeared confirmed.

"I think pretty much everything has come to a halt," Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters.

ElBaradei said he expected to have a definitive ruling by Thursday on whether Iran has honored its pledge made earlier this month and frozen activities that can be used in energy programs, but also to make nuclear weapons.

The United States accuses Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons and has pushed the international community to take a hard line. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said last week that Washington has intelligence indicating Iran is trying to fit missiles to carry nuclear weapons.

Iran, which insists its program is peaceful, has said the suspension will be brief, voluntary, and contingent on what Europe does next. Iranian hard-liners have accused the government of sacrificing Iran's rights by agreeing to suspend enrichment.

Under the agreement reached in negotiations in Paris with Britain, France and Germany, a working committee would be formed within weeks to define what economic, technological, security and nuclear cooperation Europe will provide. It will report within three months.

Iran portrays the agreement as European support for what it sees as its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program.

Iran radio said Monday the suspension included reprocessing uranium and building centrifuges used to enrich uranium.

In Belgium Monday, EU foreign ministers urged Iran to confirm its suspension at an IAEA board meeting in Vienna on Thursday. The board was to focus on closing an examination of nearly two decades of covert nuclear activities in Iran.

"We reached an agreement two and a half weeks ago," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said. "What we are looking forward to is a translation of that text into an agreement. I hope very much Iran to come fully into compliance."

Straw said that if Iran reneges on the deal the EU "reserves the right" to take Iran to the United Nations.

Only after Thursday's IAEA meeting is the EU expected to move to resume negotiations for a trade and political cooperation agreement, officials said. Such a deal would likely include help to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program.