On July 25, the Associated Press published a report by journalist George Jahn titled “Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear arms probe”. [1] [1] The story claimed to be based on comments by Gholamreza Aghazadeh, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation in a press conference after meeting with the Director General of the IAEA, Mohamed Elbaradei.

Several news agencies immediately republished the AP’s report without questioning its authenticity and credibility. Yet a simple analysis of the contents of this item reveals repeated distortions of facts.

George Jahn writes in his report:

“Iran signaled Thursday that it will no longer cooperate with U.N. experts probing for signs of clandestine nuclear weapons work, confirming the investigation is at a dead end a year after it began.”

The transcript of Aghazadeh’s comments in Persian was partly published by Iran’s state media as well as Radio Farda funded by the US Congress. He said:

“The two sides were conscious that the so-called alleged studies is a side issue and does not affect our ongoing and bilateral cooperation with the Agency. Iran has done whatever it could in connection with the alleged studies case and the IAEA will draw necessary conclusion on the issue at an appropriate time.” >>>