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UN fears Iran nuclear weapon move
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.
Isotopes
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says the confidential report is likely to intensify the row over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
She says this appears to be the first time the IAEA has questioned the current as well as past activities in Iran that could be related to the development of a nuclear missile.
The report says its information was "consistent and credible in terms of the technical detail, the timeframe in which the activities were conducted and the people and organisations involved".
It added: "Altogether this 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."
The report confirmed Iran had produced a small batch of uranium enriched to the higher, 20% level.
Until now, Iran has produced uranium enriched to 3.5% for power stations.
It says it needs the more highly enriched uranium for a reactor producing medical isotopes.
Western powers fear Iran is heading towards enriching uranium to 90% - to produce a nuclear weapon.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8522910.stm
Published: 2010/02/18 18:00:02 GMT
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.
Isotopes
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says the confidential report is likely to intensify the row over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
She says this appears to be the first time the IAEA has questioned the current as well as past activities in Iran that could be related to the development of a nuclear missile.
The report says its information was "consistent and credible in terms of the technical detail, the timeframe in which the activities were conducted and the people and organisations involved".
It added: "Altogether this 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."
The report confirmed Iran had produced a small batch of uranium enriched to the higher, 20% level.
Until now, Iran has produced uranium enriched to 3.5% for power stations.
It says it needs the more highly enriched uranium for a reactor producing medical isotopes.
Western powers fear Iran is heading towards enriching uranium to 90% - to produce a nuclear weapon.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8522910.stm
Published: 2010/02/18 18:00:02 GMT
