UN nuclear watchdog IAEA raises alarm over uninspected Iranian uranium enrichment plant at Isfahan

International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, is "increasingly concerned" about an underground uranium-enrichment plant at Isfahan that Iran declared last year but has not let the watchdog inspect, it said in a confidential report on Iran on Friday seen by Reuters."The Agency does not know IFEP's exact location, status for safeguards purposes, or whether it contains nuclear material," the IAEA said in the quarterly report to member states, referring to the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant (IFEP).This comes after a senior Iranian official told Reuters in September that Iran will show no flexibility over its nuclear program even if the United States accepts its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which calls for steps including the lifting of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the waterway would remain closed until the United States meets “all of Iran's conditions.”Further, Iran is debating whether to maintain its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons in the event that hostilities resume, although no decision on any changes has been taken, the regime's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei told state TV on October 31."We seriously follow diplomacy but will not abandon the rights of the Iranian people," he stated.He said that the nuclear issue can only be discussed once the United States meets Iran's demands.He further stated that Iran's nuclear rights under the non-proliferation treaty should be respected if nuclear negotiations take place in later stages of negotiations.Iran reviewing 'concrete proposals' on future of nuclear program, NYT cites sources as sayingMeanwhile, Iran is reviewing "concrete proposals" from mediators on the future of its nuclear program amid talks with the United States in Doha, Qatar, The New York Times reported on November 5.NYT cited five officials, including an American and two Iranians, briefed on the talks, noting that the revelation suggests some progress in negotiations with the US.The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate on the specifics of the proposals.Aaron Glick contributed to this report.