Diplomats: Iran seeks seat on UN nuke agency board

[September 23, 2010]  VIENNA (AP) -- Diplomats say Iran is seeking a seat on the decision-making board of the same U.N. nuclear agency probing its activities for evidence that Tehran may be interested in making atomic weapons.

Iran has sought such a position previously but has always withdrawn its candidates well before the 151 members of the International Atomic Energy Agency vote on new board members.

Diplomats and officials, however told The Associated Press just hours before the vote Thursday that Iran's hat remained in the ring. They asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Iran insists it does not seek atomic weapons but it has been under IAEA investigation since revelations of secret nuclear activities eight years ago. Iran is under four sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions for its nuclear actions.

[Associated Press; By GEORGE JAHN]

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