Amano report’s approval can close PMD file: Iran

A senior Iranian official says the case of the so-called possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran's nuclear program can be closed when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Board of Governors upholds the recent report of the agency's chief.

In his report on December 2, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said the body has found no indications of diversion of nuclear material related to the PMD in Iran's nuclear program.

Amano's report was circulated among member states of the IAEA Board of Governors, which is set to hold a meeting on December 15 to make a final decision on Iran’s nuclear case.

“When the Board [of Governors] confirms Amano’s report, the [PMD] file will be closed forever,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi told reporters on Sunday.

He added that a draft resolution by the Board of Governors has been already drawn up following consultations with Iran and the IAEA board is expected to make a decision on it next week.

Araqchi stated that the IAEA chief’s report confirmed that Iran’s nuclear program has had no military aspect and there has been no diversion in Iran's nuclear material, which dismissed all previous claims about the country's nuclear activities.

The senior Iranian nuclear negotiator, however, rejected that part of Amano's report which claims that Iran has conducted activities limited to feasibility and scientific studies relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device, which were carried out prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, in addition to some activities that took place after 2003.

Amano said in his report, “The agency also assesses that these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities. The agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009.”

Iran has repeatedly denied any attempt to develop nuclear weapons, saying that such activities are banned based on Islamic teachings.

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