IAEA Chief Cites Modest Iran Nuclear Progress; Official Report Due EXCLUSIVE

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http://breakingdefense.com/2013/11/iaea-chief-cites-modest-iran-nuclear-progress-official-report-due-exclusive/



IAEA Chief Cites Modest Iran Nuclear Progress; Official Report Due EXCLUSIVE
By Michael Adler
on November 13, 2013 at 10:10 PM

VIENNA: Iran has not significantly accelerated its nuclear program in recent months, UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano told Breaking Defense. This could be a sign that Iran hopes to create favorable conditions for a deal with the United States, which wants the Islamic Republic to freeze its program at its current level and not add to its nuclear capabilities.

Amano’s International Atomic Energy Agency is to release a report later this week on Iran. The last report was filed on August 28, so the two-and-a-half months covered corresponds roughly to the time since Hassan Rouhani took office as Iranian president last August 3.

Rouhani has led a diplomatic offensive to strike a deal with the international community that would guarantee that Iran will not seek nuclear weapons. His bargaining position would be undercut if his country was to be seen expanding nuclear projects while talking peace.

Amano sat down for an interview with Breaking Defense at IAEA headquarters Tuesday after returning from Tehran. The IAEA is to issue a report Thursday or Friday on Iran’s nuclear program.