DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The U.N. nuclear agency suggests Tehran suspend its uranium enrichment in return for a lifting of sanctions imposed by the international community.
"I call on all parties to take a simultaneous timeout," Mohamed ElBaradei, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said this weekend at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Iran should take a timeout from its enrichment activity, the international community a timeout from the application of sanctions, and parties should go immediately to the negotiating table."
The Security Council last December voted unanimously to impose sanctions on Iran, banning the sale of materials and technology that could be used for Iranian nuclear activities. The resolution specified punitive measures would be lifted if Iran stopped its suspect uranium-enrichment activities.
Tehran rejected the sanctions and still claims its nuclear program is for peaceful, energy-related purposes.
The agency chief said Iranian authorities might soon announce they would build up a 3,000 centrifuge facility.
"ElBaradei's proposal comes at an interesting time," Gary Sick, a professor at Columbia University's Middle East Institute, told United Press International. "The Iranians are about to celebrate a nuclear achievement. At that point, they will have demonstrated their ability and I think they would be willing to consider a suspension, at least temporarily."
The IAEA has not reported any diversion of nuclear material to develop weapons, but the agency cannot conclude there are no illegal nuclear activities in Iran.
Earlier this month, Tehran barred 38 U.N. inspectors from entering the country, but this didn't prevent the nuclear agency from continuing its work.
