IAEA chief calls for diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear issue

 • IAEA chief said there was still room for resolving Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic channels.

 • IAEA chief Amano called on all parties concerned to seize the opportunity.

 • He reiterated the agency's request for Iran to provide immediate access to the Parchin site.

VIENNA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Yukiya Amano on Thursday said there was still room for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic channels, and called on all parties concerned to seize the opportunity.

"There is an opportunity to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue diplomatically. Now is the time for all of us to work with a sense of urgency and seize the opportunity for a diplomatic solution," Amano told a quarterly meeting of the governing board of the UN nuclear watchdog.

However, Amano stressed that Iran's expanding high-level uranium enrichment capacity continued to violate the UN and the agency's resolutions.

He reiterated the agency's request for Iran to provide immediate access to the Parchin site.

IAEA's latest report showed that Iran continued to make progress in expanding its underground uranium enrichment capacity.

Western nations have imposed severe sanctions on Iran to force the Islamic Republic to make a concession on the negotiating table, despite Tehran's insistence on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

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Iran vows to pursue uranium enrichment program

TEHRAN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Amid international attempts to resume nuclear talks with the Islamic republic, Iran vows to continue its uranium enrichment program.

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