Iran signed an agreement on Thursday allowing the U.N. nuclear watchdog to conduct snap inspections across its territory, which Tehran said should prove it is not secretly developing atomic weapons.

Iran's representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Akbar Salehi and IAEA's Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, from left, shake hands after signing an additional protocol of the IAEA , on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, at Vienna's International Center. The additional protocol allows unannounced U.N. inspections of Iran's nuclear complexes and research facilities.   [AP]

The signature to the Additional Protocol to the 1968 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) comes nearly 18 months after an exiled Iranian opposition group sparked an international crisis by saying Tehran was hiding several large nuclear facilities. The allegations proved to be true.

Iran's outgoing ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali Akbar Salehi, signed the document for Tehran, which he said was clear proof his nation wanted to open every inch of its nuclear program to international scrutiny.

He told reporters at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna Iran would "not leave any stone unturned to reveal its full transparency and establish the confidence that is needed."

In a clear jab at Washington, which accuses Iran of secretly developing an atom bomb, Salehi said: "I ardently hope the new age is set and my country shall no more be subject to unfair and politically motivated accusations and allegations."

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who signed the document on behalf of the U.N. agency, said Iran's signature would help boost confidence that its nuclear ambitions were peaceful. But he urged Tehran to ratify the protocol as soon as possible.

"I was assured that Iran, until the protocol is ratified, will act as if the protocol is in force," ElBaradei said.

The United States has labeled Iran part of an "axis of evil" and says it is using its atomic energy program as a smokescreen to develop nuclear arms. Tehran denies this.

"It's welcome that Iran has made this commitment but what's important to remember is that it is only a first step," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington, saying Tehran needed to ratify the protocol and carry it out.

"The signature alone doesn't implement the promises. It doesn't suspend the enrichment program, and it doesn't fully satisfy the international community that Iran is not going to carry out activities relating to nuclear weapons," he said.

RUSSIA AND EU PRAISE IRAN

Russia, which has annoyed Washington by forging ahead with plans to build Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, praised Tehran for signing the protocol.

"We welcome this responsible step from the Iranian government, evidence of Tehran's intention to consistently move along the path of ensuring complete transparency of its nuclear program," a Russian foreign ministry official told Interfax.

European Commissioner Chris Patten said in a statement that the Commission also welcomed Iran's signature. "Rapid ratification and implementation pending the entry into force of the Additional Protocol is now essential," he said.

The protocol sparked heated debate in Iran earlier this year, with hard-liners saying the short-notice inspections it permits were tantamount to letting spies into the country.

But, under mounting international pressure, Iran said in October it would sign up for the tougher inspection regime, suspend uranium enrichment and provide full details of nuclear activities dating back to the 1980s.

ElBaradei said he hoped full Iranian transparency would eventually lead to an easing of the international embargo on the export of atomic technology to Iran, which Tehran says is the reason it has been secretive about its atomic activities.

ElBaradei said Iran's recent agreement with France, Britain and Germany to suspend uranium enrichment and sign the protocol was intended to usher in "a dialogue that would lead to the easing of restrictions on the export of technology" to Iran.

The IAEA criticized Tehran last month for an 18-year cover-up of potentially arms-related nuclear research, warning Iran any further breaches could see it taken to the Security Council for possible sanctions.

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