World powers call on Iran to cooperate with IAEA

VIENNA / BEIRUT

The United States, China, Russia, France and Britain reiterated their call yesterday for Iran to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog over its disputed nuclear program.

 “We remain concerned by Iran’s persistent failure to comply with its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions and to meet the requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors Resolutions,” the five powers said in a statement on the sidelines of a non-proliferation meeting in Vienna.

 “We stress the need and urgency for Iran to reach an agreement with the IAEA on a structured approach, including on access to relevant sites and information... to resolve all outstanding issues, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions” of Tehran’s nuclear program,” they added. The document was then approved by the 35-member board after an IAEA report said it had “credible” information that the Islamic republic was working on a nuclear bomb, something Tehran has consistently denied. Yesterday’s statement by the five permanent U.N. Security Council members comes just as the IAEA has confirmed it will resume talks with Iran on May 14 and 15 in Vienna over the country’s nuclear program.

Iranian VP to meet Hezbollah

Meanwhile, Iranian Vice President Mohammed Reza Rahimi was expected to meet Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon. He was also scheduled to travel to the south of the country near the border of Israel. During his visit, Rahimi is also expected to meet Lebanese leaders on several issues of mutual interest, according to local media.

Compiled from AFP and Reuters stories by the Daily News staff.