IAEA passes judgment on Iran

IAEA chief, Mohammed ElBaradei, is set to issue a critical report on Iranian compliance with UN demands to curb its nuclear programme.

In the light of recent statements by the Iranian president there is little reason to believe Friday’s report will be positive. 

President Ahmadinejad says Iran has managed to enrich uranium – at levels of 3.5 per cent.

This would create nuclear energy but is far too low for a weapons program, which the Bush administration contends Iran is clandestinely developing.

"It is pretty clear Iran is not going to meet the requirements," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday.

"When that happens, the international community, represented by the security council, is going to have a choice."

Moscow and Beijing fear a critical IAEA report today could spark reaction and see Washington push for sanctions against Tehran.

"I do hope that all members take a constructive approach and don't say anything or take any action that might aggravate the situation," the Chinese ambassador to the UN said on Thursday.

US president, George Bush, has said he wants a diplomatic solution to the crisis but insisted "all options are on the table" to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Iranian officials remain publicly defiant and insist they will not comply with any resolution to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Earlier this week chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, threatened to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and end cooperation with the IAEA if the security council imposes sanctions.

He said Iran would then step up its nuclear activities.

Privately however, Iran has offered talks with senior European officials to slow down the program if Washington, London and Paris back away from security council action.

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