March 5, 2007 -- The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran has not convinced the agency of the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

At the start of IAEA talks in Vienna, Muhammad el-Baradei said the investigation into Iran's nuclear program remains at a "stalemate" until Iran provides its full cooperation.

The UN agency is expected this week to ratify cuts in technical aid to Iran, imposed as part of UN sanctions over its nuclear program.

Meanwhile today, EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said the bloc will continue to press for the UN Security Council to adopt additional, stronger sanctions against Iran, in response to Tehran's failure to meet the UN's deadline on nuclear cooperation.

But the ministers said the EU wants to leave open the possibility for further negotiations with Iran.

(AFP, AP, dpa)

... Payvand News - 3/5/07 ... --