Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Should IAEA Inspectors Have Been Present When Iran Took Samples From A Suspected Nuclear Military Site?

Iran denies allegations it conducted research into how to develop an atomic bomb at its secretive Parchin military site (AFP Photo/HO)

Reuters: Iranian nuclear experts take Parchin samples without IAEA - IRNA

Iranian nuclear experts have taken environmental samples from the military base at Parchin without United Nations inspectors being present, the spokesman for Iran's atomic energy agency was quoted as saying on Monday.

The procedure for taking the samples, which could shed light on whether Iran's nuclear programme ever had a military dimension, has been under intense discussion since Tehran reached a nuclear deal with world powers in July.

Western diplomats told Reuters earlier this month inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, would observe samples being taken.

WNU Editor: This contradicts earlier claims from Western diplomats that inspectors would be present when the samples would be taken. The IAEA's response is to defend the process .... UN agency: Iran's role in nuclear probe meets standards (AP). What's my take .... they should have had at least one inspector from a neutral country (Switzerland, South Africa, etc.) on sight.

More News On Reports That IAEA Inspectors Were Not Present When Iranian Nuclear Experts Took Samples At The Parchin military Site

Iran: UN nuclear watchdog did not oversee Parchin sampling -- Times/AP
Iran took samples for IAEA at suspect military site -- AFP
Iran nuclear deal: IAEA given samples taken at Parchin -- BBC
Iran: No IAEA Inspectors Were Present at Suspect Military Base When We Collected Samples -- CNS

2 comments:

Bob Huntley said...

It seems that the behind the scene side deal discussion included something like 'Look we aren't gonna do anything you or the US want so you either start a war in which case you might find we already have a bomb and the ability to deliver it to say, Israel, or you fake it with our help. We'll go through all the moves as if we have caved, albeit slightly, and you can leave the table waving a piece of paper and play the game, or you can admit failure and leave the table without even a paper to wave. Your choice.'

James said...

Fairly close I think Bob.