Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty signing depends on Iranian authorities - Tibor Toth

Kazakhstan , Astana, June 30 / Trend A. Maratov /

Signing of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by Iran depends on Iranian authorities, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for CTBT, Tibor Toth told media.

"This decision is fully dependent on Iran, because there are all the conditions for signing the Treaty," Toth said.

Iran has not ratified the Treaty, and it still can not come into force. Ratification would allow the international community to move forward on this issue, he said. By signing the Treaty Iran would also show its commitment to peaceful use of energy.

Iran 's nuclear program has been causing concern since 2003, when the IAEA became aware of its clandestine activity.

CTBT was opened for signature in 1996. So far 182 states have signed the Treaty, of which 154 have also ratified it. But 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries must sign and ratify it before the CTBT can enter into force. Of these nine are still missing: China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the USA. India, North Korea and Pakistan have yet to sign the Treaty.

Toth reminded about the current status of the International Monitoring System (IMS) which is to track nuclear explosions all over the world. 80% of the system is operational, which is about 280 stations of the 337 planned facilities, he said.

All of CTBT Member States have access to all monitoring data from the currently operational stations, he said. The system proved its efficiency during the tragedy at Japanese Fukusima nuclear power-plant.

CTBT makes it difficult for countries to develop nuclear bombs for the first time, or for countries that already have them, to make bombs more powerful. It also prevents the huge damage caused by radioactivity from nuclear explosions to humans, animals and plants.