WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- The United States urged Iran Thursday not to intimidate the U.N. nuclear watchdog that is to inspect Iranian nuclear facilities for possible proliferation.
"We don't think it's appropriate to try to intimidate the atomic energy agency or its board into overlooking the many failures of Iran to meet its nonproliferation commitments," said U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.
He noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency has documented 18 years of clandestine nuclear activity in Iran while its government had repeatedly failed to declare "significant and troubling aspects of its nuclear program."
Boucher said the Iranian president's remarks "appear" to be an attempt to intimidate the IAEA board of governors.
"We call on Iran to make good on its repeated pledges to cooperate with the agency," he added.
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami indicated in Tehran earlier Thursday that Iran may resume uranium enrichment if the IAEA did not close Tehran's file at the June 14 board of governors meeting.
He also said IAEA inspectors had had access to all nuclear installations found at military sites, but that no military secrets had been compromised.
