via Realite' EU
The latest report by the UN nuclear watchdog brought new indications that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed last week that it possesses evidence that Tehran has conducted work on a highly sophisticated nuclear triggering technology that experts said could be used for only one purpose: setting off a nuclear weapon, the New York Times reported. [1] This is not the first time that the IAEA has obtained evidence indicating that Iran has military ambitions for its nuclear program. [2]
Simultaneous to its nuclear-related activities, Iran is developing ballistic missiles, with constantly increasing ranges, which could be used to deliver nuclear weapons. [3] Iranian missiles are already capable of striking parts of Europe. [4]
While Iran is insisting that its nuclear program is aimed at generating nuclear energy for civilian purposes, its behavior over the past years makes it clear that the Islamic Republic is intent upon building nuclear weapons.
-
Iran's nuclear activity was kept secret for years, even though international assistance would have been available to a civilian nuclear program. Already in 2003, IAEA inspections had revealed two decades’ worth of undeclared Iranian nuclear activities. [5]
-
Unwillingness to cooperate with international inspectors: Tehran hindered the IAEA investigation by failing to disclose numerous nuclear activities, destroying evidence, and making false statements to the agency, in violation of international treaty obligations. The IAEA has repeatedly criticized Tehran for failing to provide access to documents and personnel in a timely fashion. [6]
-
No economic justification: Given its huge oil and gas reserves, many experts have questioned Iran’s need for nuclear power. A report entitled, "The Economics of Energy Independence for Iran", concludes, "Does Iran really seek energy independence? On the basis of the economic evidence both within the nuclear program and in related energy industries, we conclude that Iran is not seriously pursuing energy independence, yet is attempting to justify a nuclear program motivated by a weapons objective under this rubric". [7] Also, the fact that Tehran resumed its nuclear program during the war with Iraq casts doubt on its energy rationale. [8]
-
Insistence on an indigenous enrichment capability: Many countries with nuclear power reactors purchase nuclear fuel from foreign suppliers—a fact that calls into question Iran’s need for enrichment capabilities. [9]
-
Military bodies and personnel - especially from the Revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Defense – are heavily involved in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. [10]
Read more:
Leadership Row Will Not Affect Iran's Decades-Long Nuclear Program
Uranium Enrichment and Nuclear Weaponization in Iran
[1] "Watchdog Finds Evidence That Iran Worked on Nuclear Triggers", The New York Times, May 24, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/world/middleeast
/25iran.html?_r=2
[2]" Nuclear talks call Iran's bluff", Guardian, May 29, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/29
/nuclear-talks-iran-sanction
[3] "Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status", CRS Report for Congress, December 29, 2009, http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf
[7] “The Economics of Energy Independence for Iran”, Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 14, #1, March, 2007, http://cns.miis.edu/npr/pdfs/141wood.pdf
[8] "Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status", CRS Report for Congress, December 29, 2009, http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf
[9] "Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status", CRS Report for Congress, December 29, 2009, http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf
[10] "IRANIAN WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: DOCTRINE, POLICY AND COMMAND", Working Draft for Review and Comments, January 12, 2009, http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/090112_iran
_wmd_policy.pdf
Comments