IAEA warns that Iran "may be" working on nuclear weapons

[Ryanr]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8522910.stm

The UN nuclear watchdog has expressed concern that Iran may currently be trying to develop a nuclear payload for a missile.

The information is carried in a leaked confidential report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.

It also confirmed that Iran had begun enriching uranium to higher levels.

Iran has denied it is trying to build a nuclear weapon but the US and other nations have been pressing to extend UN sanctions on the issue.

This is the first IAEA report on Iran compiled under its new director-general, Yukiya Amano, and will be put to the governing body at a 1-5 March meeting.

The White House said the findings showed Iran was failing to meet its international responsibilities and would have to face the consequences.

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/N...aspx?id=169068

VIENNA — The UN nuclear agency on Thursday expressed concern for the first time that Iran may currently be working on ways to turn enriched uranium into a nuclear warhead, instead of having stopped several years ago.

Its report appears to contradict an assessment by Washington that Teheran suspended such activities in 2003. It appears to coincide with the concerns of several US allies that Iran may never have suspended enrichment.

The US assessment itself may be revised and is currently being looked at again by American intelligence agencies.

In a report prepared for its 35 board nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also said that Iran managed to make a minute amount of near 20-percent enriched uranium within days of starting production from lower-enriched material. Higher enrichment brings Iran nearer to the capability of making fissile warhead material, should the Islamic republic opt to do so.

Iran denies any interest in developing nuclear arms. But the confidential report, made available to The Associated Press, said Iran's resistance to agency attempts to probe for signs of a nuclear cover-up "give rise to concerns about possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program."