The head of the United Nations nuclear regulatory agency is rejecting
Iran's demand for changes to a deal under which Iran would send its
uranium abroad for further enrichment.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei told
reporters on Wednesday that Iran's call for a simultaneous exchange of
uranium for reactor fuel on Iranian soil is not an option.
ElBaradei said shipping uranium out of Iran is key to defusing international concerns that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
The IAEA chief's statement comes as six world powers urge Iran to accept the IAEA deal.
During a joint press briefing with ElBaradei in Vienna, German Foreign
Minister Guido Westerwelle said the West has limited patience on Iran
and that further sanctions could be imposed.
Westerwelle also confirmed that Germany, France, Russia, China, Britain
and the United States have drawn up a draft IAEA resolution urging Iran
to provide further information regarding its previously secret uranium
enrichment site near the city of Qom.
Representatives are to present the measure at a meeting of the IAEA's governing board which begins on Thursday.
The IAEA passed a resolution criticizing Iran in 2006.
Russian and Chinese support of the resolution could be significant as
they have often blocked calls for a tougher stance against Iran,
including imposing further sanctions over its nuclear program.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The country
is already under international sanctions for its failure to halt
uranium enrichment activities.