Iran has provided the U.N. nuclear watchdog with information about detonators with possible military applications, under an accord intended to allay concerns about Tehran's atomic activities, an Iranian news agency said on Sunday.
There was no immediate comment from the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which for years has been trying to investigate suspicions that Iran may have researched how to make an atomic bomb. Iran, which is seeking an end to sanctions hurting its oil-dependent economy, denies any such work.
Diplomats in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, last week told Reuters they did not know whether Iran had so far given the U.N. body the requested information about fast-functioning Exploding Bridge Wire (EBW) detonators, which can be used to help set off an atomic explosive device but also has civilian applications.
It was one of seven measures Iran agreed three months ago to implement by May 15 under a step-by-step plan for the IAEA to gain more insight into the country's nuclear work, but the first directly related to the U.N. body's long-stalled bomb probe.
As part of the same cooperation pact, IAEA inspectors are this week expected to visit Iran's Saghand uranium mine and the Ardakan uranium milling facility. Refined uranium can have both civilian and military nuclear uses.
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency said on Sunday that the "EBW report has already been submitted" to the IAEA, as well as updated design information about the planned Arak heavy-water research reactor, which was also among the seven steps.
ISNA added: "The implementation of all seven steps agreed with IAEA will be finalised this week."
There was no immediate comment from the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which for years has been trying to investigate suspicions that Iran may have researched how to make an atomic bomb. Iran, which is seeking an end to sanctions hurting its oil-dependent economy, denies any such work.
Diplomats in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, last week told Reuters they did not know whether Iran had so far given the U.N. body the requested information about fast-functioning Exploding Bridge Wire (EBW) detonators, which can be used to help set off an atomic explosive device but also has civilian applications.
It was one of seven measures Iran agreed three months ago to implement by May 15 under a step-by-step plan for the IAEA to gain more insight into the country's nuclear work, but the first directly related to the U.N. body's long-stalled bomb probe.
As part of the same cooperation pact, IAEA inspectors are this week expected to visit Iran's Saghand uranium mine and the Ardakan uranium milling facility. Refined uranium can have both civilian and military nuclear uses.
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency said on Sunday that the "EBW report has already been submitted" to the IAEA, as well as updated design information about the planned Arak heavy-water research reactor, which was also among the seven steps.
ISNA added: "The implementation of all seven steps agreed with IAEA will be finalised this week."
