UN nuclear agency cuts Iran aid

Iran says it has a right to develop peaceful nuclear technology

The UN’s nuclear agency, the IAEA, has approved cuts in technical aid to Iran, in line with UN sanctions which were imposed in December. Its board of governors agreed to cut about 40% of its technical projects linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

UN sanctions forbid transfers of technology or expertise that might be of use in producing nuclear fuel.

They were imposed over concerns Tehran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the allegation.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Ali Asghar Soltanieh, criticised the decision to cut aid to technical projects and said it would not affect its uranium enrichment work.

“None of these projects are related to the enrichment programme. The enrichment programme will continue as planned,” he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

He accused the UN Security Council of interfering in Iran’s affairs.

The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed last month that Iran had ignored a deadline to suspend its nuclear activities.

Tehran says it has a right to a peaceful nuclear programme and has refused to halt uranium enrichment.