Gary Fitleberg, December 21, 2003

Under intense international pressure, Iran has succumbed by signing an agreement on allowing the U.N. nuclear watchdog to conduct snap inspections across its territory, which Iran said should prove it is not secretly developing atomic weapons.

The signature to the Additional Protocol to the 1968 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) comes nearly 18 months after an exiled Iranian opposition group sparked an international crisis by saying Iran was hiding several large nuclear facilities. The allegations proved to be true.

Iran's outgoing ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali Akbar Salehi, signed the document for Tehran, which he said was clear proof his nation wanted to open every inch of its nuclear program to international scrutiny.

Salehi told reporters at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna that Iran would "not leave any stone unturned to reveal its full transparency and establish the confidence that is needed."

In a clear jab at the U.S., which accuses Iran of secretly developing an atom bomb, Salehi said: "I ardently hope the new age is set and my country shall no more be subject to unfair and politically motivated accusations and allegations."

IAEA chief Mohamed El Baradei, who signed the document on behalf of the U.N. agency, said Iran's signature would help boost confidence that its nuclear ambitions were peaceful. But he urged Iran to ratify the protocol as soon as possible.

"I was assured that Iran, until the protocol is ratified, will act as if the protocol is in force," El Baradei said.

The United States has labeled Iran part of an "axis of evil" and says it is using its atomic energy program as a smokescreen to develop nuclear arms. Iran denies flatly this allegation.

"It's welcome that Iran has made this commitment but what's important to remember is that it is only a first step," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington, saying Iran needed to ratify the protocol and carry it out.

"The signature alone doesn't implement the promises. It doesn't suspend the enrichment program, and it doesn't fully satisfy the international community that Iran is not going to carry out activities relating to nuclear weapons," he said.

Russian and EU praise Iran

Russia, which has annoyed Washington by forging ahead with plans to build Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, praised Iran for signing the protocol.

"We welcome this responsible step from the Iranian government, evidence of Tehran's intention to consistently move along the path of ensuring complete transparency of its nuclear program," a Russian foreign ministry official told Interfax.

European Commissioner Chris Patten said in a statement that the Commission also welcomed Iran's signature. "Rapid ratification and implementation pending the entry into force of the Additional Protocol is now essential," he said.

The protocol sparked heated debate in Iran earlier this year, with hard-liners saying the short-notice inspections it permits were tantamount to letting spies into the country.

But, under mounting international pressure, Iran said in October it would sign up for the tougher inspection regime, suspend uranium enrichment and provide full details of nuclear activities dating back to the 1980’s.

El Baradei said he hoped full Iranian transparency would eventually lead to an easing of the international embargo on the export of atomic technology to Iran, which its rulers say is the reason it has been secretive about its atomic activities.

El Baradei said Iran's recent agreement with France, Britain and Germany to suspend uranium enrichment and sign the protocol was intended to usher in "a dialogue that would lead to the easing of restrictions on the export of technology" to Iran.

The IAEA criticized Iran last month for an 18-year cover-up of potentially arms-related nuclear research, warning Iran any further breaches could see it taken to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

Whether one believes concealment and deceit for approximately two decades will change in the near future regarding its nuclear program one thing is clear. Iran has something to hide.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg