Iran

Tehran still withholding nuclear information, UN agency says

Article published on the 2008-05-27 Latest update 2008-05-27 10:53 TU

A nuclear site in Bouchehr, Iran.
(Photo: DR)

Iran is hiding information about its nuclear programs and continues to refuse to comply with UN demands that it suspend its uranium enrichment, according to the the UN atomic energy watchdog.

In its latest report on Iran's nuclear energy status, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) contests that Iran may have been trying to develop a nuclear warhead, convert uranium and test a missile re-entry vehicle.

This is not the first time that Iran has been accused of nuclear-weapon-building activities by the UN nuclear supervisory group. Iran calls the allegations baseless and claims that the evidence is forged.

The IAEA, for its part, says that Iran has not done enough to prove to the world that their nuclear activities are solely for producing energy for civilian needs.

Investigation continues, but the report points out that Iran is making a concerted effort to impede its progress.

According to the report, Iran is operating about 3,500 uranium-enriching centrifuges at a centre in Natanz. Tehran has expressed wishes to expand that number to 6,000 by the end of the year, a target that IAEA experts say is achievable.

The report is not yet available to the public as its circulation is restricted to UN and diplomatic circles.