Remarks by Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley on the IAEA Report on Iran (Excerpts)

September 7, 2010

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear

. . .

QUESTION: Speaking of Mohamed ElBaradei in his previous incarnation, do you have any reaction to the IAEA reports yesterday on Iran - both Iran and Syria?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, on Syria first, the - unfortunately, the IAEA again documented that Syria has not been forthcoming with any explanation to clarify the scope of its clandestine nuclear activities. So it continues to refuse to cooperate with the IAEA as it is required to do.

With respect to Iran, I think it underscores our concerns about ongoing uranium enrichment, the continued construction of a heavy-water research reactor, concerns about its cooperation with the IAEA and access of inspectors to key sites. So once again, this underscores our concerns and the rationale behind UN Security Council 1929. We continue to believe that implementation of 1929 coupled with national steps that the United States and other countries have taken, it is having an impact on the ground in Iran and is gaining the attention of the Iranian leadership.

Now, whether they will make the right decision remains to be seen, but this is - supports our policies and the actions over the past year to put additional pressure on Iran even while we remain open to engagement to answer the questions that the report once again raises.

QUESTION: Do you anticipate any meetings of the so-called Vienna Group at a senior level prior to UNGA?

MR. CROWLEY: I believe that there will be a meeting of the P-5+1 at a senior level at UNGA. Whether there are other meetings prior to then, hard to say.

QUESTION: And do you know -

MR. CROWLEY: Maybe. Maybe not.

QUESTION: Do you know if Under Secretary Burns's travel to - which includes a stop in Russia this week, another Vienna Group member - will include any such consultations; i.e., will the French become - will the French political director be going there for any kind of a meeting?

MR. CROWLEY: Bill Burns is in Moscow today, will also be traveling to Ukraine, I believe. I wouldn't be surprised if the subject of Iran comes up. But I'm not forecasting a meeting among the Vienna Group at this point, although we are - continue to seek meetings with Iran, both within the IAEA construct to talk about the research reactor proposal and also to engage the P-5+1. But I can't report any further progress since last week, in anticipation of Matt's question. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Does the IAEA report indicate that the --

QUESTION: Actually, my next question -

MR. CROWLEY: I'm getting better at channeling -

QUESTION: -- was going to be about Lesotho. (Laughter.)

MR. CROWLEY: Well, since you asked last week, I thought I would anticipate that one. Go ahead.

QUESTION: Do you think the IAEA report indicates that sanctions against Iran are not working?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, the - what the IAEA is documenting, that Iran continues to fail to cooperate with the IAEA as it is required to do. I think separate from that, we do believe that the actions that we've taken - 1929 coupled with national steps - is having an impact in Iran. But again, Iran - they choose to defy its own self interest. We'll have to wait and see.

. . .