In its latest report on Iran’s nuclear program released on Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran increased its stockpile of enriched uranium in recent months, was moving more advanced centrifuges into its enrichment facility in Natanz, and highlighted undisclosed activities to develop a nuclear payroll for a missile.
The IAEA reports that at the beginning of February, Iran’s inventory of 3.5% enriched uranium (LEU) had increased to 3,606 kilogram, nearly 8,000 pounds. But the production rate of the LEU had remained unchanged.
The IAEA also said that it had received new information about possible military dimensions to the Iranian nuclear program. The report said Iran continued its refusal to cooperate with the Agency on "past or current undisclosed nuclear-related activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile."
The White House said the report demonstrates Iran is moving closer to a nuclear weapons capability.
"The IAEA's latest report on Iran again demonstrates that Iran is not just refusing to comply with its international nuclear obligations, but Iran continues its effort to expand its nuclear program and move closer to a nuclear weapons capability,” White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said [AP, 26 February].
Iran’s state-owned Press TV said the report demonstrates the peaceful intentions of the country’s nuclear program.
“In an IAEA report issued on Friday, the agency reaffirmed that Iran's nuclear program has never been diverted to nuclear weapons production,” Press TV reported [26 February].
5 comments:
I love the way "state-owned" precedes Press TV. I have never seen you use that term in referring to BBC. Why the double standard?
Actually the report states it has questions regarding new allegations made of weapon studies, in addition to the previous claims where Iran has not been provided full access to the evidence. Thus such "activities" are not at all a certainty; an important distinction to make in referencing this issue.
Aside from that, it appears the Stuxnet "bug" was greatly hyped by US/Israeli officials and the Western media, just as Dr. Salehi had stated.
Overall it appears from an internal standpoint, that Iran's nuclear program is proceeding satisfactorily, all things considered.
Yes, IAEA said it had received new information about "possible" military dimensions to the nuclear program, as reported in this post. It could not verify or deny the info as Iran refused to cooperate with the agency on that subject. Iran does not recognize IAEA's authority on military issues, including any possible weaponization program.
Yes, Iran's uranium enrichment program is producing fuel at the same rate as prior to the Stuxnet attack. The attack could have been exaggerated, or the Iranians are working that much harder.
Anon 12:29 AM,
Our focus on this blog is introducing the Iran-related issues to an English-speaking audience. Press TV is not widely known around the globe. There are many excellent blogs that cover the Western media.
And also please keep in mind that anyone quoting from Press TV, needs to be extra careful. If you recall, during the height of the Green Movement in June 2009, Press TV did not cover any of the mass demonstrations until a week after their occurrence, greatly questioning its independence and journalistic integrity. As matter of fact, a number of its own journalists left the network as a result. It started with a good vision, as reported in this very blog on the day it went on air, but the realities of being owned by the state manifested themselves in those days of unrest in Iran.
The IAEA's attempt at scapegoating Iran and the politicization of the nuclear issue will hurt the organization badly.Iran has been cooperative with them in many fields for many years.What they really want is for Iran to adopt the additional protocols - which Iran is under no legal obligation to do.They basically want Iran to surrender their nuclear program wholly to the IAEA to do whatever they want with it.I'm sorry but my guest can't tell me how i should live in my own house.I'm even surprised why Iran hasn't thrown them out already.Iran's nuclear program has been the most scrutinized in this century.My fear, however is that, with the IAEA's obsession with Iran's program, other emerging nuclear state will go even more underground. Iran should just kick them out and opt out of the NPT..It's brought Iran no benefit...
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