<!-- IMAGE -->Signaling its growing concern over Iran’s nuclear noncompliance, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, has passed a resolution on Iran for the first time in nearly 4 years. The resolution noted with serious concern that Iran began construction of a new uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, located near Qom, in violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The facility was built without prior notice, in violation of Iran's safeguards agreement.
The resolution urged Iran to immediately halt its construction, and criticized Iran for continuing to defy previous resolutions which require suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities. The resolution underlined the fact that Iran's declaration of the Fordo facility reduces the level of confidence about whether there are any other undeclared nuclear facilities under construction in Iran.
This resolution, said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs in a statement, "demonstrates the resolve and unity of the international community with regard to Iran’s nuclear program. It underscores broad consensus in calling upon Iran to live up to its international obligations and offer transparency in its nuclear program." The fact that 25 countries from all parts of the world, including all five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany –- the P5+1 –-supported the resolution, shows, said Mr. Gibbs, "the urgent need for Iran to address the growing international deficit of confidence in its intentions."
The United States strongly supports outgoing IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei’s proposal to provide Iran fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor –- a proposal intended to help meet the medical and humanitarian needs of the Iranian people while building confidence in Iran’s intentions.
The United States recognizes Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and remains willing to engage Iran to work toward a diplomatic solution to the concerns about its nuclear program, if --and only if -- Iran chooses such a course. To date, Iran has refused a follow-on meeting to the October 1st meeting with the P5+1 countries if its nuclear program is included on the agenda.
"Our patience," said Press Secretary Gibbs, "and that of the international community is limited, and time is running out. If Iran refuses to meet its obligations, then it will be responsible for its own growing isolation and the consequences."
The resolution urged Iran to immediately halt its construction, and criticized Iran for continuing to defy previous resolutions which require suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities. The resolution underlined the fact that Iran's declaration of the Fordo facility reduces the level of confidence about whether there are any other undeclared nuclear facilities under construction in Iran.
This resolution, said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs in a statement, "demonstrates the resolve and unity of the international community with regard to Iran’s nuclear program. It underscores broad consensus in calling upon Iran to live up to its international obligations and offer transparency in its nuclear program." The fact that 25 countries from all parts of the world, including all five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany –- the P5+1 –-supported the resolution, shows, said Mr. Gibbs, "the urgent need for Iran to address the growing international deficit of confidence in its intentions."
The United States strongly supports outgoing IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei’s proposal to provide Iran fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor –- a proposal intended to help meet the medical and humanitarian needs of the Iranian people while building confidence in Iran’s intentions.
The United States recognizes Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and remains willing to engage Iran to work toward a diplomatic solution to the concerns about its nuclear program, if --and only if -- Iran chooses such a course. To date, Iran has refused a follow-on meeting to the October 1st meeting with the P5+1 countries if its nuclear program is included on the agenda.
"Our patience," said Press Secretary Gibbs, "and that of the international community is limited, and time is running out. If Iran refuses to meet its obligations, then it will be responsible for its own growing isolation and the consequences."
