UN Agency Still Probing Iran’s Enriched Uranium

A recent report from the UN nuclear watchdog agency was optimistic about Iran's increased cooperation in recent months, but was riddled with doubts about the country's nuclear ambitions. In the report, the IAEA praised Iran because it "has demonstrated an increased degree of cooperation in relation to the amount and detail of information provided to the agency and in allowing access...to additional locations and the taking of associated environmental samples." However, one of the environmental samples taken near an Iranian nuclear facility tested positive for weapons grade enriched uranium. Iran blames the enriched particles on contaminated machinery purchased abroad and continues to vehemently deny US allegations that it has a nuclear weapons program. IAEA officials are evaluating Iran's explanation for the particles, but remain generally positive about Iran's cooperation. Still, the agency report admits, "There remain a number of important outstanding issues, particularly with regard to Iran's enrichment program, that require urgent resolution." – YaleGlobal