ElBaradei to Arabs: Engage Iran on Nuclear Issue

By VOA News

The head of the U.N.'s nuclear agency is calling on Iran's Arab neighbors to play a greater role in resolving the dispute between Tehran and the West over Iran's nuclear program.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei Tuesday accused Arab nations of "sitting on the fence," and urged them to engage in dialogue.

Speaking in Vienna, Elbaradei said Iran "could be a positive force in the region; it could also be a source of conflict."

Several European powers and the U.S. accuse Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. The IAEA says Tehran is hampering its efforts to fully inspect its nuclear program and resolve the dispute.

Elbaradei also welcomed Washington's recent turnabout at the IAEA, in which it promised to join in talks with other agency board members with Iran about the standoff.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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