IAEA probe into Iran atom bomb stalls

By Mark Heinrich

VIENNA (Reuters) - A U.N. watchdog inquiry into whether Iran covertly researched how to assemble an atom bomb appears to have stalled while Tehran slowly but steadily builds up a sensitive uranium-enrichment programme, diplomats say.

They expect this to be reflected in an International Atomic Energy Agency report on Monday at a time of faltering pressure on Iran, with Russia and Western powers at loggerheads over Georgia and the Bush administration on the way out.

In May, the IAEA said Iran seemed to be withholding information needed to explain intelligence allegations that it had fused projects to process uranium, test high explosives and modify a missile cone in a way suitable for a nuclear warhead.

IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei called on Iran then for "full disclosure" -- namely, going beyond flat denials without providing access to sites, documentation or relevant officials for interviews to substantiate their stance.

Follow-up talks were held in Vienna and Tehran over the summer, but appear to have hit a wall, said diplomats accredited to the IAEA, who asked for anonymity because they are not authorised to speak publicly on confidential matters.

"The word out is -- no progress on clarifying possible military dimensions to the programme," said a European diplomat who, like others, cautioned that a complete picture would emerge only in the pending report by ElBaradei.

Two diplomats said Iran refused IAEA access in August to workshops possibly involved in redesigning missile cones.

"We are told the report will be negative," said another diplomat. Others said Iran had cut cooperation with the IAEA to the minimum under its nuclear safeguards accord with the agency.