IAEA wants to send delegation to Iran

VIENNA, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria says he wants to send inspectors to Iran to verify the scope of Tehran's nuclear program,

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, in a letter to the IAEA's board, said information obtained by the agency suggests Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device since 2003. Amano said he has proposed sending a high-level team to Iran to address the issues contained in the report.

"The agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. But, as Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, including by not implementing its Additional Protocol, the agency is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," Amano said in the letter posted Thursday to the IAEA's Web site.

Amano said he remains willing to engage in dialogue with Iran and urges its leaders to "take steps towards the full implementation of its Safeguards Agreement and its other obligations."