ElBaradei Asks Iran for Quick Response on Nukes

Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, holds a joint press...

Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, holds a joint press conference with Iran's Nuclear Chief Ali Akbar Salehi, not seen, in Tehran on October 4, 2009. Iran said today it wants to alter the draft nuclear deal negotiated last week with the U.S. and other countries, changes that observers said would torpedo a pact that was intended to head off a crisis over Iran's nuclear program.

(Atta Kenare /AFP/Getty Images)

The head of the U.N. nuclear agency urged Iran on Monday to clarify its response amid mixed signals over a U.S.-backed proposal that would have Tehran ship most of its nuclear material abroad for processing.

Iran's foreign minister said that option still exists while a senior diplomat suggested the opposite. The proposal would have Tehran export 70 percent of its enriched uranium — enough to make a bomb — and then have it returned as fuel for its research reactor.

Tehran's contrasting messages appear designed to keep the international community off balance on how far Iran is ready to go in accepting the original proposal.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Mohamed ElBaradei said "a number of questions and allegations relevant to the nature" of Iran's program remained, and he called for confidence building measures on all sides.

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"I therefore urge Iran to be as forthcoming as possible in responding soon to my recent proposal, based on the initiative of the U.S., Russia and France, which aimed to engage in a series of measures that could build confidence and trust," ElBaradei said in his final address before stepping down at the end of the month after 12 years as chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"This is a unique and fleeting opportunity to reverse course from confrontation to cooperation and should, therefore, not be missed," he added.

The U.S. and other powers are concerned Iran may be enriching uranium for use in nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is strictly for research and energy production.

Iran's mixed messages also appeared geared toward pushing the plan's main backers into further talks, something those countries oppose as a delaying tactic.

Speaking in Morocco, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the proposal will not be changed.

"We continue to press the Iranians to accept fully the proposal that has been made, which they accepted in principle," she said at a news conference after consulting with senior government officials from several Persian Gulf nations, plus Egypt, Morocco and Jordan.