Iran to sign snap nuclear check protocol

Iran will almost certainly sign a binding international protocol that permits intrusive snap inspections of its nuclear facilities today, cabinet ministers said yesterday. Asked when his country would commit itself to the Additional Protocol to the...

Iran will almost certainly sign a binding international protocol that permits intrusive snap inspections of its nuclear facilities today, cabinet ministers said yesterday.

Asked when his country would commit itself to the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Vice-President Gholamreza Aghazadeh replied "Iran will most probably sign tomorrow."

Diplomats in Vienna said Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would take part in a signing ceremony in Vienna at 1400 GMT today.

The United States alleges Iran's atomic programme is a smokescreen for the development of nuclear arms, but Iran has repeatedly denied this.

"We have agreed to sign the protocol to prove our activities are peaceful," said Aghazadeh, who heads Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation.

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

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