UN Nuclear Watchdog Expresses Impatience With Iran

Muhammad el-Baradei, head of the IAEA (AFP) 7 December 2005 -- The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says that the world is growing impatient with Iran over its nuclear activities.

IAEA chief Muhammad el-Baradei's remarks were carried in the 7 December edition of the Arabic newspaper "Al-Hayat."

El-Baradei said the world is worried that Iran could develop nuclear weapons. He also said that possible military intervention is not a solution to the problem.

El-Baradei called on Iran to halt its uranium enrichment activities because, "when a state is able to do that, it only needs a few months to produce a nuclear weapon."

France's Foreign Ministry said on 7 December that recent statements by Iranian authorities risk "jeopardizing" a planned resumption of international talks on Iran's nuclear program.

(AFP/Reuters)