Watchdog To Report Iran's Military Nuclear Capacity

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) may report on the potential military uses of Iran's nuclear program by the end of the year, the watchdog said on Saturday.



"With cooperation from Iran I think we can issue a report by the end of the year on the assessment... related to the possible military dimensions," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a statement.



Amano said that once a final agreement is reached between Iran and six world powers "the IAEA is ready to implement the nuclear related elements when requested." Talks in Vienna between Iran and the P5+1 - the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - are due to end on July 7.



Uranium enrichment and nuclear research programs are being monitored amid concerns Iran may weaponize its nuclear technology. Iran insists the program is solely for civilian use.



Discussions between Amano and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's national security council, last week included "clarification of possible military dimensions," according to an IAEA statement released on Friday.



Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his country was ready to cooperate with the IAEA. He told the Islamic Republic News Agency that Iran's nuclear ambitions had "no dark points". - Ankara