UN says Iran's studying nuclear weapons

According to a report by UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Iran has carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device". The report also suggests that Iran has conducted research on computer models that could only be used to develop a nuclear bomb trigger. IAEA's latest report on Iran is thought to be its toughest yet.

The Islamic Republic has said the findings were politically motivated. Speaking about the issue, Iran's envoy to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh said: "This report is unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure by mostly the United States.”

Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear programme is designed solely for the purpose of civilian power generation. The report, however, suggests that Iran has carried out activities "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device" but it does not specify whether or not Iran is building one.

The report comprises Iran's secret activities including conducting computer modelling, developing a detonator and testing high explosives. It suggest that some of its activities are only applicable to nuclear weapons research.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has continually dismissed the IAEA as a mouthpiece for the US, and his government was quick to condemn the report as baseless.

The report also states: "The information indicates that prior to the end of 2003 the above activities took place under a structured programme. There are also indications that some activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device continued after 2003, and that some may still be ongoing."

IAEA says the report is “credible” and the information is gathered from reliable sources. It also encourages Iran "to engage substantively with the agency without delay for the purpose of providing clarifications."

It is thought that Iran is at least one year away from being able to produce a nuclear bomb and if need be do so on short notice.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, AFP

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran: Soltanieh dismisses IAEA's latest report

One of Iran's senior nuclear officials Ali Asghar Soltanieh has publically dismissed the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest report on the country's nuclear programme. Speaking to IRNA news agency, Soltanieh said: “The report brings up repetitive and boring content... based on unfounded allegations and speculation regarding some activities with supposed military objectives…The agency's scientific and professional reputation will without a doubt be damaged for dealing with these accusations, failing to provide solid evidence, and seeking political objectives."

On Tuesday 24th May, the IAEA said it was assessing new data on Iran's nuclear activities which could potentially reveal previously “undisclosed” atomic intentions. AFP news agency, who obtained a copy of the report, said there were indications that the alleged work in Iran "may have continued beyond 2004."

Iran has always maintained that its nuclear programme was intended for civil uses, rather than for the development of military weapons. The international community, however, has continued to fear that the Islamic Republic is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme despite four rounds of UN sanctions.

Soltanieh added that the report showed Iran was "successfully" implementing its uranium enrichment programme, saying: "It has been clearly noted in the report that our nuclear activities, including enrichment, are being conducted successfully under supervision of the agency."

Sources: AFP, Press TV, Fars News Agency, IRNA

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.

Iran offers nuclear facilities tour

Iran has invited several key world powers to tour its nuclear facilities, ahead of the second-round of nuclear talks scheduled for late January in Istanbul. The UN suspects that Iran's technology used to produce fuel for nuclear power might also be used to enrich uranium; however, Tehran maintains that the programme is peaceful and intended for civil use only.

It is believed that Iran's invitation to survey its nuclear grounds was extended to Russia, China and several other EU countries but not the US. Speaking about Iran's offer, US State Department spokesman, Philip J Crowley, deemed it a “clever ploy” to dupe the international community into a false sense of security.

Iran's Foreign Ministry's spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, "The representatives of some European Union countries, NAM [Non-Aligned Movement], and some representatives of the five-plus-one [world powers] have been invited to visit our nuclear sites."

According to Mehmanparast, Iran's decision to comply with international requests to survey its nuclear grounds is a sign of “co-operation with the [International Atomic Energy Agency] IAEA."

It has also been reported that a senior government spokesman, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, extended the selected invitees an all-expenses paid visit to the sites, due to take place later in January. China, a close ally of Iran and one of the invitees, has not confirmed whether or not it will accept the invitation. But China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that his country was in communication with Iran.

When asked about whether or not US representative would be invited to the tour Mehmanparast said, "The list of the countries invited for the visit will be unveiled when it is finalised."

According to Iranian press reports, the tour would include a visit to the country's uranium enrichment site at Natanz as well as its heavy water facility in Arak.

Sources: BBC News, Voice of America, Sky News

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.