The United Nations nuclear agency has received new information on possible military aspects of Iran's atomic program, reinforcing fears that the nation may be working to develop a missile armed with nuclear material, the agency said in a report. The new information covers operations in Iran "until relatively recently," including in 2010, said an official with knowledge of the investigation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA for its acronym in English), who declined to give details.
The confidential IAEA report also shows that Iran continues to pursue its controversial nuclear program and earn more low-enriched uranium, despite growing international sanctions. United States and its European allies suspect Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The new findings could give further ammunition to isolate Tehran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful and solely aimed at generating electricity.
The Iranian envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said the report showed that Iran's nuclear activities remained "under the supervision of full access and without interruption," the official news agency IRNA. But the envoy also criticized what he called "unsubstantiated allegations" and said it would damage the scientific and professional reputation of the agency.
The nine-page document was obtained on Tuesday, a day after the EU extended sanctions against Iran, which reflects the growing frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks. United States has intensified financial measures and other on Tehran. The IAEA has spent years researching Western intelligence reports indicate that Iran has coordinated efforts to process uranium, test high explosives and renewed high-altitude ballistic missiles that can carry a nuclear warhead.
Iran has dismissed the allegations as false. According to the report, the director general of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, sent a May 6 letter to the head of the atomic energy agency of Iran, "reiterating the agency's concern about the existence of possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program ".
In the letter to Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, Amano requested that Iran provide prompt access to relevant sites, equipment, documentation and individuals who help to clarify important issues. 
The confidential IAEA report also shows that Iran continues to pursue its controversial nuclear program and earn more low-enriched uranium, despite growing international sanctions. United States and its European allies suspect Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The new findings could give further ammunition to isolate Tehran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful and solely aimed at generating electricity.
The Iranian envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said the report showed that Iran's nuclear activities remained "under the supervision of full access and without interruption," the official news agency IRNA. But the envoy also criticized what he called "unsubstantiated allegations" and said it would damage the scientific and professional reputation of the agency.
The nine-page document was obtained on Tuesday, a day after the EU extended sanctions against Iran, which reflects the growing frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks. United States has intensified financial measures and other on Tehran. The IAEA has spent years researching Western intelligence reports indicate that Iran has coordinated efforts to process uranium, test high explosives and renewed high-altitude ballistic missiles that can carry a nuclear warhead.
Iran has dismissed the allegations as false. According to the report, the director general of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, sent a May 6 letter to the head of the atomic energy agency of Iran, "reiterating the agency's concern about the existence of possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program ".
In the letter to Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, Amano requested that Iran provide prompt access to relevant sites, equipment, documentation and individuals who help to clarify important issues.
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- Iran Official Calls UN Nuke Report 'Fabrication' - Fox News (25/05/2011)
- Iran rejects UN watchdog report on weapons program (25/05/2011)
- Nuke Watchdog: Iran Worked on Nuclear Triggers (25/05/2011)
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