Iran to Give IAEA Inspection Timetable

Iran will soon tell the International Atomic Energy Agency when it can inspect the Islamic republic’s recently revealed nuclear facility, the country’s state-run Press TV reported.

The head of Iran’s nuclear program made the announcement in an interview with Press TV on Monday, but he did not give a timetable for the potential inspection.

Iran revealed the existence of the covert uranium enrichment site last week, drawing condemnation from the West.

The country has also launched a series of missile tests which provoked a further strong response from Western leaders. Saturday, Iran tested short-range missiles, and Monday, it fired two types of long-range missiles.

What Tehran described as routine military exercises, France and the United States called “destabilizing” and “provocative.”

Iran claims its nuclear enrichment program is intended for peaceful purposes, but the international community accuses the country of continuing to try to develop nuclear weapons capability.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, accused the major powers of politicizing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activities. He told Press TV the accusations that the newly revealed uranium enrichment plant is used for military purposes are “baseless.”

“It is against our tenets, it is against our religion to produce, use, hold or have nuclear weapons or arsenal,” Salehi told Press TV. “How can we more clearly state our position? Since 1974 we have been saying this.”

Iran’s nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, is scheduled to meet Thursday with representatives of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members, plus Germany. European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana will also attend the talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

Salehi told Press TV that Iran will try to resolve the issue “both politically and technically” during those meetings.