The International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed "serious concern" over Iran's failure to satisfy the watchdog that its atomic programme is meant for peaceful purposes and asked it to show transparency.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed Elbaradei said the agency has not been able to make progress on resolving the outstanding issues, which require "certain transparency" measures on the part of Iran.
But he expressed hope that dialogue between Iran and its European and other partners would help achieve a "comprehensive settlement" which would supplement the agency's verification efforts to address questions about the nature of the programme and also help address Iran's security and other concerns.
Iran has rejected a Security Council demand to suspend its uranium enrichment programme and IAEA's inspectors are no longer welcomed in the country.
Tehran insists that its programme is for peaceful purposes but Western powers suspect the country is gearing towards weapons development programme.
The Council members are now weighing the option of imposing sanctions on Iran for defying the Council but there are still sharp differences on the extent to which they should go.
{{/usCountry}}The Council members are now weighing the option of imposing sanctions on Iran for defying the Council but there are still sharp differences on the extent to which they should go.
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