BICOM

Iran appears to have continued work on designing a nuclear weapon after 2003 and may still be conducting secret research and tests that are related to nuclear weapon technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report released yesterday. “The agency has serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program,” the IAEA report said. “The information indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.”

The report was distributed to 35 members of the IAEA board and to the UN Security Council. A diplomatic source told Haaretz that the report is the “most damning” report ever published by the IAEA. The report also stated that Iran benefited from the help of a “clandestine nuclear network” referring to Russian, Pakistani and North Korean scientists who helped with the training.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA Ali Asghar Soltanieh immediately rejected the report calling it “unbalanced, unprofessional and politically motivated”. Israel has not yet responded to the report. The Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday that it will study the report and issue a response later. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also told his cabinet ministers not to discuss the report with the media. Israel most likely will wait for a response from the international community before it issues its own response.

Meanwhile, opposition party leader Tzipi Livni (Kadima) responded to the report by saying, “Now that the truth has been laid before the world, Israel must enlist the free world to stop Iran. Determination and political wisdom are essential at this time in order to stop it.” Kadima MK and former defence minister Shaul Mofaz added, “This is a very serious report that represents an opportunity for the free world, and chiefly the United States, to take action.

The IAEA report can be read here.