The UN nuclear watchdog is warning that Iran may be developing atomic weapons, a claim that is sparking Western criticism and calls for tightening sanctions despite Iran’s denial.
"The information available to the agency ... raises concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Yukiya Amano writes in his first report to its board of governors.
Amano says that available data indicate that Tehran has not halted its nuclear weapon drive.
The information was "extensive ... broadly consistent and credible in terms of the technical detail, the time frame in which the activities were conducted and the people and organizations involved."
In 2007, the US National Intelligence Estimate, which represents the consensus among all the 16 US spy agencies, concluded that Tehran halted its weapon program in 2003.
The 10-page confidential document, which will be discussed by IAEA governors next month, also says that Tehran had begun enriching uranium to higher levels.
Last week, Tehran announced the production of its first stock of highly enriched uranium for civilian technical applications.
The IAEA report says that Tehran continues to stall the UN watchdog’s requests to inspect Iran’s weapons research.
"Since August 2008, Iran has declined to discuss the above issues ... or provide any further information and access to locations and people to address these concerns."
IAEA inspectors verified that none of Iran's declared nuclear material had been diverted, the report says.
"(But also) Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
The West accuses Tehran of developing a secret nuclear weapons program.
Iran insists that its nuclear program only aims at procuring power to feed an increasing local consumption.
Denial
Iran denied that it was seeking nuclear weapons, saying the IAEA allegations were “baseless” and based on “forged” intelligence.
"Iran will not get emotional is responding to these nonsensical comments, since our religious beliefs are against the use of such weapons," said Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"We in no way believe in an atomic weapon and do not seek one."
Tehran insisted that all documents cited in the IAEA report have been fabricated.
"The issue of the missile or explosives has nothing to do with the IAEA's charter and function," said Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh.
The envoy repeated Tehran's stance that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is of a peaceful nature.
"(Iran) will never halt its peaceful nuclear activities nor stop its cooperation with the agency."
Despite the Iranian denial, Western powers called for tightening sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear drive.
"The President (Barack Obama) has on a number of occasions talked about engagement, talked about the benefits of living up to those international obligations," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One.
"We always said that if Iran failed to live up to those international obligations that there would be consequences."
Washington is already leading a push for the UN Security Council to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
"(The report) shows how urgent it is to act with determination to respond to Iran's lack of cooperation," French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bernard Valero said.
Click here to read the entire report.
"The information available to the agency ... raises concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Yukiya Amano writes in his first report to its board of governors.
Amano says that available data indicate that Tehran has not halted its nuclear weapon drive.
The information was "extensive ... broadly consistent and credible in terms of the technical detail, the time frame in which the activities were conducted and the people and organizations involved."
In 2007, the US National Intelligence Estimate, which represents the consensus among all the 16 US spy agencies, concluded that Tehran halted its weapon program in 2003.
The 10-page confidential document, which will be discussed by IAEA governors next month, also says that Tehran had begun enriching uranium to higher levels.
Last week, Tehran announced the production of its first stock of highly enriched uranium for civilian technical applications.
The IAEA report says that Tehran continues to stall the UN watchdog’s requests to inspect Iran’s weapons research.
"Since August 2008, Iran has declined to discuss the above issues ... or provide any further information and access to locations and people to address these concerns."
IAEA inspectors verified that none of Iran's declared nuclear material had been diverted, the report says.
"(But also) Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
The West accuses Tehran of developing a secret nuclear weapons program.
Iran insists that its nuclear program only aims at procuring power to feed an increasing local consumption.
Denial
Iran denied that it was seeking nuclear weapons, saying the IAEA allegations were “baseless” and based on “forged” intelligence.
"Iran will not get emotional is responding to these nonsensical comments, since our religious beliefs are against the use of such weapons," said Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"We in no way believe in an atomic weapon and do not seek one."
Tehran insisted that all documents cited in the IAEA report have been fabricated.
"The issue of the missile or explosives has nothing to do with the IAEA's charter and function," said Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh.
The envoy repeated Tehran's stance that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is of a peaceful nature.
"(Iran) will never halt its peaceful nuclear activities nor stop its cooperation with the agency."
Despite the Iranian denial, Western powers called for tightening sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear drive.
"The President (Barack Obama) has on a number of occasions talked about engagement, talked about the benefits of living up to those international obligations," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One.
"We always said that if Iran failed to live up to those international obligations that there would be consequences."
Washington is already leading a push for the UN Security Council to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
"(The report) shows how urgent it is to act with determination to respond to Iran's lack of cooperation," French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bernard Valero said.
Click here to read the entire report.
