The new head of the world’s nuclear watchdog has vowed to pursue alleged illegal proliferation of atomic technology, saying the spread of such knowledge threatens international peace. Yukiya Amano takes over the International Atomic Energy Agency in December. His predecessor still suspects Iran of a weapons programme despite its denials.

“If we are to restore confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, she needs to engage substantially with the agency to clarify these issues,” said Mohamed Elbaradei. “Especially the difficult and important questions regarding the authenticity of information relating to alleged weaponisation studies.” Elbaradei also urged the United Nations to give the IAEA more powers to combat the spread of atom bomb know-how to avoid relying on the imposition of sanctions, which he said often do not work.More about: IAEA

Copyright © 2012 euronews