By DPA
Hamburg : An agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency is a last chance to end the simmering conflict over Iran’s nuclear research, IAEA director general Mohamed ElBaradei said in an interview.
The German news magazine Der Spiegel quoted ElBaradei saying it was the first time his UN agency had been able to settle a clear “roadmap” with Tehran on the issues.
Extracts were released in German translation Saturday, two days in advance of Spiegel’s publication.
“By November, or December at the latest, we have to be able to see whether Tehran is carrying out its promises,” he said. It was also “perhaps the last chance” which Tehran should not waste.
ElBaradei said UN sanctions against Tehran should not be stepped up during the current “trial period” and also cautioned Israel and the US not to attempt a pre-emptive strike.
“Maybe a large part of the Iranian facilities really could be destroyed,” said ElBaradei.
“However something like that could start a terrible conflagration in the region and definitely bolster those circles (in Iran) that favour development of a nuclear bomb.”
He added, “My biggest worry is that terrorists may acquire a ‘dirty bomb’ on the nuclear black market. Sometimes I think it is a miracle this has not happened yet. I pray it remains that way.”