U.S.: Iran's nuke policy based on deceit

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Iran's approach to nuclear transparency with international inspectors is to "deny, deceive and distract," the U.S. envoy to the United Nations said.

The board of governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency in early September backed a resolution that called on Iran to comply fully with its nuclear obligations. The U.N. nuclear watchdog expressed frustration it wasn't granted access to some nuclear facilities in Iran, adding there may be military dimensions to aspects of Tehran's nuclear program.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told the U.N. Security Council sanctions committee on Iran the IAEA's report confirmed that Tehran was acting in defiance of its obligations to transparency.

"Iran's approach remains to deny, deceive and distract," she said.

The committee heard from delegates that tougher sanctions in coordination with diplomacy were needed to settle differences related to Iran's nuclear program.

"We only ask for one thing, to negotiate, and Iran is not doing so," said Gerard Araud, the French envoy to the United Nations.

The Iranian government says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Tehran didn't have a representative on the sanctions committee.