Statement by IAEA Director General on Iran

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei welcomes the announcement today by U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, expressing the readiness of the U.S. Government to join the EU-Iran talks once Iran responds positively to the IAEA Board of Governor′s call for the suspension of enrichment-related and reprocessing activities as a confidence-building measure. Dr. ElBaradei strongly encourages Iran to create the conditions necessary for the resumption of these talks, with U.S. participation, with a view to achieving a comprehensive settlement that is acceptable to both the international community and Iran.