WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States said on Tuesday that it is concerned about press reports about Egypt's uranium research program and it supports an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    "As a general matter, we certainly believe it is imperative that member states comply with their nuclear safeguards obligations, and we support the International Atomic Energy Agencyin its efforts to investigate and document compliance by member states with their nuclear nonproliferation treaty obligations and safeguards agreement," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing.

    Ereli noted that Egypt is a member of the nuclear proliferationtreaty or a signatory to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and "has an active safeguards agreement with the IAEA."

    However, Ereli admitted that the United Stated does not have anything "definitive or authoritative" from the IAEA and Egypt hasbeen a responsible member of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

    According to US media reports, the IAEA has found evidence of secret nuclear experiments in Egypt that could be used in weapons programs and most of the work was carried out in the 1980s and 1990s, but the IAEA was also looking at evidence suggesting some work was performed as recently as a year ago.

    Egypt has dismissed claims it is or has been pursuing a weaponsprogram, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Enditem