IRAN: The United States warned Iran last night that it must comply with the UN nuclear watchdog agency's demands aimed at ensuring Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons.
"Iran needs to comply. Otherwise the world will conclude that Iran may be producing nuclear weapons," said the White House spokesman, Mr Ari Fleischer. On Wednesday, President Bush urged the international community to make clear to Iran that "we will not tolerate" construction of a nuclear weapon.
The White House welcomed a statement earlier yesterday from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that reprimanded Tehran for failing to meet UN safeguard obligations.
The IAEA board called on Iran to "continue to be transparent" and to accept without delay or conditions more intrusive, short-notice inspections to dispel suspicions that it is using its nuclear power program to secretly develop atomic weapons.
The United States has accused Iran of planning to make nuclear weapons but Tehran has denied the charge. President Bush viewed the IAEA position as reinforcing his campaign against nuclear proliferation, said Mr Fleischer. - (Reuters)