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German intelligence says Iran still seeking nuclear and missile technology
In its annual report, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) has said that Iran is engaged in “clandestine” efforts to procure illicit nuclear and missile technology.
The report says that Iran continued “illegal proliferation- sensitive procurement activities in Germany… in 2015 at what is, even by international standards, a quantitatively high level… in particular with regard to items which can be used in the field of nuclear technology”.
Such activity would appear to contravene an accord agreed a year ago between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), which is intended to see Iran curb its nuclear development over the next ten years in return for easing international sanctions. The agreement, which has been strongly criticised by Israel and Sunni Arab countries, stipulates that all Iranian requests to purchase “nuclear direct-use goods” be submitted to a procurement task force.
The BfV report also noted “a further increase in the already considerable procurement efforts in connection with Iran’s ambitious missile technology program which could… potentially serve to deliver nuclear weapons”. Although missile development is not covered by last year’s nuclear accord, it infringes United Nations’ (UN) Security Council resolutions.
Iran has carried out at least three ballistic missile tests since the nuclear deal was signed. A test in March included missiles marked with the words “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew. Such tests are a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1929, passed in 2010, which bans Iran from any ballistic missile development capable of delivering nuclear weapons. It is also a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, passed the day after July’s accord was signed, which compels Iran to refrain from any work on ballistic missiles for eight years.
Reuters says that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called Iran’s missile tests “not consistent with the constructive spirit” of the nuclear accord. However, he insisted it would be up to the UN Security Council to “interpret its own resolutions”.