Iran Again Refuses Nuclear Watchdog’s Request to Inspect Facilities
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IIPA via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — There was yet another setback Wednesday in the international community’s attempts to force Iran into becoming more transparent about its nuclear ambitions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, was unable to obtain any commitment from Tehran to allow its inspectors to tour atomic facilities.
Over the past 18 months, the IAEA has met with Iranian officials 10 times to try and resume inspections of facilities where it’s believed the rogue nation is developing nuclear weapons. The inspections ended in 2008.
Iran has consistently maintained that it only wants nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity — a claim scoffed at by the U.S. and its Western allies.
Although the IAEA had nothing to show from the latest talks, Iranian officials seemed to feel the meeting was constructive.
Most observers contend Iran is purposely dragging its feet to give its scientists more time to develop atomic bombs.
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