You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Suspicions mount that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons ...
2004-02-20
I say, Holmes, how do you do it?
United Nations nuclear inspectors have discovered components for sophisticated uranium enrichment equipment that Iran failed to declare, deepening suspicions that Teheran is seeking an atomic bomb. The unravelling of the nuclear network operated by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan’s bomb, has exposed Iran to ever more damaging disclosures of its attempts to hide nuclear-related facilities. "We have serious concerns about these reports," said the White House spokesman, Scott McClellan, yesterday. "We have long said that our belief is Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme under the cover of a peaceful effort."

A senior diplomat said recently: "If all you want to do is enrich uranium for nuclear fuel, then the G1 centrifuge is enough. The G2 could point to a military programme." According to diplomats familiar with investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency, inspectors have found designs and parts for a G2 uranium enrichment centrifuge - a more advanced version of the G1 system previously declared by Iran. Some reports said the components were found on an Iranian air force base. If this is confirmed, it would create a possible link between Iran’s nuclear programme and the military, despite claims that nuclear facilities are entirely civilian and designed to generate electricity. The IAEA is due to report formally on its findings in the coming days. But the leaks corroborate a report by the Telegraph this month which quoted American sources as accusing Iran of trying to operate a parallel enrichment programme.
I expect the report will be pretty different from the leaks...
Under pressure from the IAEA, Iran has repeatedly been forced to change its story in the past year. In recent days it has admitted for the first time to carrying out "research and development" with G2 centrifuges. But it insists it disclosed the work to the IAEA. Hamid Reza Asefi, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, said: "Iran’s nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and Iran has not had and nor does it have military nuclear activities." The USA Today newspaper reported yesterday that the G2 components had been found at a military base identified as Doshan Tapeh. But Mr Asefi said: "In none of Iran’s military centres is a nuclear programme being pursued and [G2] centrifuges do not exist in such centres."
"Nope. Nope. Never happened."
Under a deal brokered by European countries last October, Iran admitted to violations over 18 years. In return, it was spared a referral to the UN Security Council. Iran admitted it had made small "laboratory scale" quantities of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium - offering two possible routes to a bomb. Teheran also promised to "suspend" the operation of its large enrichment facilities in Natanz based on the G1 design using aluminium tubes. G2 centrifuges are made of a high-strength, lightweight alloy that can spin much faster. Both versions are based on designs stolen by Khan from Holland in the 1970s and used to make fissile material for Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.

Libya admitted buying the G1 and G2 versions from Khan’s network, as well as a design for a nuclear warhead provided by China to Pakistan. Diplomats suspect that Iran failed to make a full declaration. One said: "Libya bought three items on sale - the G1, the G2 and a weapon design. The Iranians admitted to the G1, and now to research with the G2. The question is whether they also have a weapon design." America will seize on the IAEA’s findings to demand that Iran be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions when the IAEA board meets next month. But the European countries negotiating with Iran to come clean - Britain, France and Germany - fear that this would be an empty gesture unless Russia and China agreed to take tough action.
And that won't happen because neither country expects to ever be on the receiving end of an Iranian nuclear weapon.
Posted by:Dan Darling

#3  "The question is whether they also have a weapon design."

We had best assume that they do, and that they are currently working frantically to put it together. They look at the Norks and figure that possesion of a nuke keeps the Marines at bay.

Unless the black turbans get themselves overthrown shortly (which might actually happen)US foreign policy will have to contend with a nuclear Islamist Iran.

That thought should be enough to pucker a few butts.
Posted by: JerseyMike   2004-2-20 11:12:18 AM  

#2  IAEA Report: I see nothing! I know nothing!
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-2-20 9:03:00 AM  

#1  We're going to have to be very careful w/this since our name is "Mudd" at this point in time.

--The IAEA is due to report formally on its findings in the coming days. But the leaks corroborate a report by the Telegraph this month which quoted American sources as accusing Iran of trying to operate a parallel enrichment programme.
Posted by: Anonymous2U   2004-2-20 1:55:37 AM  

00:00