The United States has expressed disappointment that a visit to Iran by United Nations nuclear inspectors ended in failure, as the Islamic Republic's supreme leader warned no obstacle would derail Tehran's nuclear program.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday “the action by Iran is another demonstration of its refusal to abide by its international obligations.”
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said Iran rejected a request to inspect the Parchin military complex near Tehran, suspected of housing a secret underground nuclear facility and refused to allow his team to interview scientists or engage in substantive talks about Iran's nuclear course.
In a defiant response, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran's atomic work will continue despite “pressures, sanctions and assassinations,” and no obstacles can stop it.
Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts called the talks “disappointing.” He said the IAEA's next steps will be determined after his team reports to the agency's chief and its board of governors, which is scheduled to meet early next month.
France Wednesday denounced Iran's failure to give U.N. inspectors full access to its nuclear sites as another “missed opportunity” that could undermine chances of reviving wider talks between Tehran and world powers.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minster Gennady Gatilov warned that any possible military scenario against Iran would have “catastrophic consequences.” He played down the failure of the IAEA's latest mission to Tehran, saying there is still a chance for new talks.
Israel and the United States have not ruled out the use of force to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Tehran has threatened to take its own preemptive military action if it believes its national security interests are being threatened.
Russia, China as well as many Western nations are concerned that any military action against Iran could engulf the Middle East in wider war, which would send oil prices rocketing at a time of global economic troubles.
Israel and Western powers accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program, a charge Tehran denies.
