Global Security Newswire

Iraq on Tuesday formally approved the entry into force of the International Atomic Energy Agency's program for heightened monitoring of countries' atomic installations, according to a press release from the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

The Iraqi government notified the Vienna, Austria-based agency of the ratification of the Additional Protocol to its comprehensive safeguards agreement in a formal document transferred by Iraqi Ambassador Surood Rashid Najib to IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.

Iraq under late dictator Saddam Hussein unsuccessfully pursued a nuclear weapon capability. Following the Gulf War, the international community imposed regular IAEA inspections on Iraq that were aimed at ensuring Baghdad did not covertly restart its nuclear arms research effort. Though no significant evidence of such a scheme was ever found, Hussein's continuous efforts to circumvent inspections aroused serious worry in the United States and played a significant role in Washington's 2003 decision to invade Iraq.

"The ratification of the Additional Protocol is clearly a significant step for Iraq in demonstrating its resolve in meeting its nonproliferation commitments under relevant treaties, agreements and resolutions," Amano said in released remarks. "It is very welcome and can serve as a laudable example for the region and the world."

Including Iraq, 119 nations have ratified the Additional Protocol.