A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency -- the
U.N.'s nuclear watchdog -- indicates Iran is in broad compliance with its
nuclear commitments, but also notes with concern indications of construction
activity at the Parchin military site, where Iran is suspected of having
carried out covert nuclear-related activities in the past.
The document --
part of the agency's routine review of Iran's program -- states that the IAEA
"has continued to observe, through satellite imagery, the presence of vehicles,
equipment and probable construction materials."
"In
addition," the report continues, "a small extension to an existing
building appears to have been constructed."
Critics of the
Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran are likely to seize on this
detail of the report.
Speaking to
reporters on Thursday, State Department spokesman John Kirby would not address
the content of the leaked document, a copy of which was obtained by CNN and
other news outlets, but remarked that the U.S. views Parchin as "a
conventional military site, not a nuclear site."
"So there
wouldn't be any IAEA or other restrictions on new construction at that site
were they to occur," he said.
A senior U.S.
intelligence official acknowledged the presence of heavy construction equipment
earlier this month, but told CNN such activity could not conceal the
presence of radioactive material.
"The
(International Atomic Energy Agency) is familiar with sanitization efforts and
the international community has confidence in the IAEA's technical
expertise," the official said at the time.
But the IAEA
report comes amid renewed
scrutiny with regard to the Parchin site after
it was revealed that Iranian inspectors would be taking an active role in
IAEA-monitored inspections there.
"Allowing
the Iranians to inspect their own nuclear sites, particularly a notorious
military site, is like allowing the inmates to run the jail," Republican
presidential candidate Lindsey Graham said of the arrangement.
Apart from the
observation of construction activity at Parchin, the IAEA's report reflects a
number of positive steps Iran has taken to comply with its obligations under
the nuclear deal and the interim nuclear deal that preceded it.
Iran has
provided the IAEA with access to declared facilities and has complied with
enrichment restrictions.
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