IAEA asks member states for help on moving Israel toward opening nuclear program to inspection

IAEA chief focuses on Israel nuclear program

VIENNA — The head of the U.N. atomic watchdog is asking for international input on how to persuade Israel to join the Nonproliferation Treaty.

The request is contained in a letter shared Wednesday with The Associated Press and is sure to add pressure on the Jewish state to fully disclose its unacknowledged nuclear arsenal.

IAEA chief Yukiya Amano asks foreign ministers of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 151 member states to share views on how to persuade Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The letter also asks for advice on how to persuade Israel to allow IAEA oversight of its nuclear facilities.