Edition

IAEA's Integral Role in Ending the Iranian Nuclear Crisis

IN THIS ISSUE: IAEA's integral role in ending the Iranian nuclear crisis, Japan likely to reverse nuclear energy phase-out, Iran says nuclear energy agency can inspect Parchin if threats of Israeli attacks defused, Defense Authorization Bill includes nuclear lab mandate, Russia to float out new Borey class sub on Dec. 30, and statement from NNSA administrator Thomas P. D'Agostino.

Published on December 27, 2012
 

IAEA’s Integral Role in Ending the Iranian Nuclear Crisis

Mark Hibbs and Olli Heinonen | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Iran at the United Nations

There is a small opening to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis after the conclusion of the U.S. presidential election. Some observers argue that it will be easier to reach an agreement if the IAEA limits its verification role in Iran and abandons its effort to get answers from Tehran on the tough questions on the "possible military dimensions" of its nuclear program.

But this would be a mistake. The IAEA's experience during the North Korean crisis beginning two decades ago serves as a lesson that if the IAEA has a mandate that is anything less than fully consistent with its legal authority under Iran's safeguards agreement and the Additional Protocol, the IAEA will fail to provide the assurances needed for the international community.  Full Article



Follow the Nuclear Policy Program
 RSS News Feed Facebook Twitter
Footer information begins here
More from Proliferation News


 

Deutsche Welle
One of the first policy victims of Japan's incoming Liberal Democratic Party is likely to be the commitment to phasing out nuclear power. The promise made after Fukushima does not sit well with the pro-business party.    Full Article

Haaretz
In remarks carried by Iranian news agency, Deputy FM Ghashghavi lays down condition for IAEA access to military site where nuclear activity is suspected. Iran has said it will allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect a military site near Tehran if threats of Israeli attacks on the country's nuclear facilities are defused. Iran has so far said it is not legally obliged to expose nonnuclear site to international inspectors.    Full Article

Douglas P. Guarino | Global Security Newswire
The Senate on Friday approved a defense authorization bill for fiscal 2013 that would mandate construction of a new nuclear weapons laboratory and storage facility in New Mexico but that lacks many other controversial nuclear security provisions lawmakers considered earlier this year.     Full Article

RIA Novosti
Russia's Sevmash shipyard will float out a third Borey class strategic nuclear submarine, the Vladimir Monomakh, on December 30, Navy Commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov said. The Borey class submarines are expected to form the core of Russia's strategic submarine fleet, replacing the aging Project 941 (NATO Typhoon class) and Project 667 class (Delta-3 and Delta-4) boats. Russia plans to build eight Borey and Borey-A class subs by 2020.     Full Article

National Nuclear Security Administration
Thomas D'Agostino, head of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, delivered remarks on Friday announcing his intention to step down on January 18. D'Agostino has led the semiautonomous branch of the Energy Department for the past five and a half years. He will be replaced on acting basis by Neile Miller, who has served as NNSA principal deputy administrator since August 2010.     Full Article

 
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.