Stalement hard to break up

Though Iran called the report proof of its "innocence," it still needs to further its cooperation with the IAEA in several aspects, ElBaradei signaled after the report.

According to ElBaradei, Iran should answer questions about its arms research to completely clear up the remaining suspicions over its past nuclear activities, resume its implementation of the Additional Protocol of the NPT and allow unannounced inspections to make sure that the country's nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. Iran should also suspend its uranium enrichment activities to win the world's confidence in its nuclear programs.

However, Iran is not expected to make any easy compromises, as Tehran has maintained a tough position on the matter.

In what is an extremely complicated issue, Iran's nuclear ambition is widely viewed as not only an issue of nuclear non-proliferation, but a problem related to the long-time confrontation between Iran and the United States which has roots in historic grudges between the two nations and their contest for influence in the Middle East.

Therefore, the United States is expected to take advantage of the world's suspicions over the issue to impose further sanctions against Iran, while Tehran will pin hope on its cooperation with the IAEA to split the international community to win room in the confrontation, analysts concluded.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2008)