IAEA set to release report on Iran's nuclear program
Report due to invalidate U.S. intelligence report from 2007 that stated Iran had stopped its work on nuclear weapons development in 2003.
By Yossi Melman Tags: Iran nuclear UN Security Council IranThe director general of the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, is due to present his latest report on the Iranian nuclear program on Monday.The report will be officially presented to the representatives of 35 countries that compose the IAEA's Board of Governors.
The report is expected to reach the media after it is officially presented, and will determine in the harshest fashion that Iran has conducted a long list of activities, including field tests and computer simulations whose sole meaning is that Iran is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. This report will be much harsher than any of the IAEA's reports on Iran that have appeared annually since 2003. But it is doubtful that the report will state clearly that Iran already has the capability to manufacture nuclear weapons.
 |
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, center, attending an IAEA meeting at the UN in September. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The report's main importance is that it will emphasize that Iran has continued its various activities to produce nuclear weapons since 2004, and therefore the report will also invalidate the U.S. intelligence report from 2007 that stated Iran had stopped its work on nuclear weapons development in 2003.
The report lists a number of Iranian activities to produce the weapons, including tests to determine the strength of a nuclear blast, developing capabilities to produce such weapons and trials, tests and simulations - all in an attempt to reduce the size of nuclear weapons so they could be mounted on a missile warhead. Most of the tests were conducted in a military base in Parchin, about 30 kilometers from Tehran, the report will state. Since this is a military base, IAEA inspectors have no authority to visit or inspect the site.
About a week after the report is presented, the Board of Governors will meet to discuss it. The U.S. and other Western nations will demand that the UN Security Council meet and introduce stricter, more effective and more painful sanctions against Iran in response to the report. But Russia and China, who are trying up to the very last moment to soften the report, object to further sanctions and it is doubtful such a move will pass in the Security Council.
The West wants to expand sanctions, but there is no intention to place sanctions on the Iranian central bank or the Iranian energy industry, which is the main source of revenues for Iran. The U.S. could have already placed unilateral sanctions on the Iranian central bank and put it on the U.S. blacklist, but has not done so out of fears that such a move could spark a crisis in world fuel markets and worsen the global economic crisis.
In response to the reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has accused the IAEA of giving in to U.S. pressure to level the accusations, which he said were based on fabricated intelligence. "Iran has already responded to the alleged studies in 117 pages. We've said time and again that these are forgeries similar to faked notes," Salehi told reporters in Tehran.
As to a possible Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, all Western nations oppose such a unilateral move, including the U.S. They have also made this extremely clear to Israeli leaders in recent talks in past months.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has indicated that his country would come to Israel's aid if it was attacked, but said that if Israel decided to attack first that would be a different matter.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Pakistan detonated a nuclear bomb and the west termed it "islamic Bomb". Now perhaps they will rename it to "Sunni Bomb" as Iran is about to detonate a nuclear bomb which will be termed as "Shia Bomb" Pakistan though a so called democratic state, is a follower of fundamental islam, fierecely opposed to Israel but never used or threatened to use nuclear weapons against Israel. So its more logical that Iran would not use its nuclear capability against any other country but would not hesitate if attacked to accomplish regime change. So its a known fact. Restraint is the best solution
Iraq WMD? No, it's a pretext for war to deploy soldiers and destabilize the Middle East. I'm sick of the lies.
How dare israel preemptively destroy a nuclear center. Rather let them nuke us first and kill thousands of innocents and then we will be okay to respond. I really don't understand how the iaea is okay with that
The IAEA has no credibility what so ever!! particularly when it is abused as a political entity. let's just send Yuyia Amano back to his home town to grow bonsai in his back yard, the guy has no clue he is being manipulated. The organisation is a good example to study the 20th century for the future generations.
i am wishing for peace, for all sentient beings. israel and its people are very special, and we should work towards securing their survival, as we would nation. we have forced them into this position, and we should likewise not expect them to just be willingly slaughtered. we should hope they never have to leave another place they have made their home. may the united nation finally seek justice for all nations, even israel.
Say it ain't so! The Bush admin said something in 2007 about something in 2003 that was wrong? How is that possible? The Iranian nuclear program started under the Shah. He wanted to be able to produce a weapon at a moment's notice, but not keep any weapons around. So what really has changed, except Netanyahu thinking he is Churchill or the Messiah?
Israel's intransigence and belligerent tone in every way - is the main problem. Instead of multiple articles on how Israel is hell-bent on pursuing war with Iran, I recommend that Haaretz produces articles explaining how Israel gone wild has the capacity to bring massive death and destruction to the region should this war (God forbid) unfold. Please stop escalating the tension.
because of the threat they face from Israel.The Soviets felt the same way when we developed nuclear weapons and so did Pakistan when India produced it's first nuclear bomb. It's absolutely foolish to think Iran should do nothing to protect itself against the Israeli threat, knowing that Israel will have no problem attacking them at the drop of a hat, as they have done in Iraq and Syria. Iran has no history of attacking it's neighbors. It is the #1 responsibility of all governments to protect it's citizens from any and all threats foreign or domestic, such a right does NOT only belong to Israel and the US alone. A nuclear Iran will force Israel to be more civil in the ME and therein lies their problem, because of our blind support for them, Israel has no behavior. Fortunately for Iran, they have the wealth and human resources to survive whatever sanctions the UN throws at them.
The world is a lot wiser now, the Americans and Israelis can fight their own wars now..
we are also backing the occupation and settlement on westbank. Why shouldn´t we also support a direct attack-war? If Iran really has a bomb or not, who cares, they will surly use it sometimes against Israel to make sure their own death. All this balance of powers is wrong. To use the bomb aginst Israel, to kill most civilians of all religions as possible, is the first sentence in the Koran. And Israel does not lie to rest of the world and does truly has no nuclear weapons. So this war is total lawfall. If this Israeli attack does really impact their nuclear development and what this attack means for the future and the region, what ever. Afterwards the Israeli secutrity is likly strengthen - so lets attack. Ahh btw. all others of the world does concern this as needles, unsafe in sucess, dangerous for the region and another warcrime. Maybe.. they are right, like about the settlements. Israelis could think about that or going straight forward direct into their international isolation. Israel gouverment has allready freeze palastian taxes to decrease PA security capabilites in front of this attack. All in responsibility for Israel. Some Hamas or Iran rockets in Israeli cities will surly make sure, that this extrem right winged gouverment become reelected.
Let's see, a report on Iran's nuclear program? Why not a report on Israel's "non" nuclear program, weapons, etc. Oh, that's right: Israel is not a member. Then Israel has absolutely NO right to ask for a "report" from ANY OTHER NATION!
Unless Iran develops a nuclear deterrent there will continue to be a threat of a US/Israel/British military adventure against that resource rich nation.
Contain Iran delay, so a strategic withdrawal would occur from Iraq to allow another window of opportunity to strike, 2012. Iran made a mistake when the US threaten to bomb them an Qum into the Stone Age in 2007, the effectiveness of the Mossad, 2011 SOFA went nothing. No bomb in 2009, 10, 11 it is too late, clear skies for the IAF.
by the same group that said a Syrian cloth factory was a nuclear site.
1
As proven by WikiLeaks when they showed cables about the US ousting El Baradai for someone who would give America and Israel the report they have salivated like rabid dogs over receiving.
before the Palmer report was edited? Turkey was eager to have some of the § eradicated and was furious afterwards and behaved like a spoiled little child!
Bush and bliar did it last time around so the russians and Chinese are due a turn at fudging a report right?
But if we avoid being nuked in the first place, then no help is to be expected. Europe at its finest hypocrisy.
Iran, bombastic and belligerent before the bomb, just imagine afterwards.
I deeply love the Jewish people, and I would not like view them consumed by nuclear fire of crazy fanatics eager for Israel to be wiped off the map! A psychopath who deeply hates Israel, who despises the blood shed of millions of Jews who were exterminated in Nazi concentration camps, this man has repeatedly said he will wipe Israel off the map! This monster has possession without a doubt, of nuclear technology, and he made it clear that this technology is certainly not for the production of energy to "hospitals", as he said ironically ... To what extent Israel will be so naive to believe that this will not happen,if it is exactly what the Iran promised to do. The only effective solution to this problem: A massive attack without leaving chance to respond, through the use of nuclear weapons, targeting all Iranian troops, their barracks, the air force, the navy, the army, and yours nuclear facilities.
Currently Israel is obsessed with expanding settlements onto Arab land. America is supporting this venture financially, militarily and politically. We can safely assume two things (1) Israel's expansion cannot go on forever. (2) Israel will never voluntarily end it's expansion efforts. This will bring a major war sooner or later. American politicians have the ability to curb Israel's behavior but they lack the will. America has reneged on it's role as the world's policeman. The EU is too weak and wishy washy to curb Israel's behavior. This leaves Iran. Iran without a nuke is no threat to Israel. Iran with a nuke will give Israel pause. Nothing else in the world can have this effect. Balance of power saved the world from destruction during the cold war. It will work in the mideast too. Israelis call Iran all sorts of bad names, but, after all, Israel has a much worse reputation in the world than Iran does. Israel has used all manner of banned weapons and has killed far more civilians. Namecalling by Israelis only calls attention to these facts.
According to Mossad, Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb before 2015 (due to the virus attack, and to correction of past Israeli exaggerations). A lot can happen. First, Ahmadinejad will no longer be President. Second, the Chief Ayatollah is reportedly suffering from some serious medical problem, and might not be around. There is plenty of time for another round of sanctions to bite. My suggestion: The Security Council should decide that any future supply of nuclear fuel to Iranian power/research plants (by Russians as in Bushehr, or others) should be paid for by an equivalent amount of Iranian Uranium, first enriched and then even raw. Iran does not have much Uranium, and is looking around even TODAY for a seller, so this exchange plan will bring an end to their enrichment program. Problem solved.
There will always another Ahmadinejad and another Khameini around. Mind, this is a zealous Shia republic!
The known enrichment plants are under IAEA observations and don't produce more than 20% enriched Uranium. You need about 90% enrichment for a bomb. If Iran has some secret enrichment plant, it will not be attacked because its location is unknown. We heard about various computer programs, even one simulating a nuclear explosion. The computer programs were no doubt copied in order to be preserved, so you wouldn't eradicate them by bombs. The steel container suspected for researching high explosives may be for nukes, but if one was built, another will be built underground somewhere else. At this point, the only way to stop Iran from WANTING nukes is to take over Iran, as Bush did to Iraq. It was an idiotic enterprise then, and this one would carry worse consequences. The situation calls for sanctions, not a military attack.
the sanction which would grip, are not inflicted!
Right? Israel just looking for any excuse to attack Iran. Right? Americans swearing to it because they're the Israeli lackies, Right? All lies. Right? Iran is a peaceful nation that it entitled to nuclear weapons because other countries have them. Right? The IAEC is a dupe of APAIC. Right? Go ahead defend this nightmere-in-the-making..
They sound as bad at addressing the subject as the UN.. Playing the guessing game.Now we have to wait till tomorrow.(gee it is Monday already (on some zones)... And ship shape bristol fashion they will be abole to release the result ..Yeah pigs might fly to the stratosphere by then.What a useless bunch..
is on a few other sites, and only zionist papers like yourself claim the IAEA will say anything about Iran specifically building weapons, everywhere else it is "possible/potential future military use" Why do you zionists dream about war so much ?
Just as all these warmongerings started, IAEA has the report filled with bias intelligence reports from the not so credible Intelligence agency such as the US, Israel, UK, & France to convict Iran. The idea is to sanction their Central Bank. They are aiming to starve Iranian people to make Israel happy. This will backfire big time & all smoke will go into the eyes of Israel.
Looks like the lobbies (you know which ones) have already determined the reports contents. Maybe they wrote it to suit their next steps. These people will drag the region to war , for what ??