New report 'aggravates' EU concern over Iran's nuclear program

 

Deutsche Welle

A new report on Iran's nuclear drive "seriously aggravates existing concerns," said a spokeswoman for the European Union's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton. The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a report on Tuesday that Maja Kocijancic said "indicate the existence of a full-fledged nuclear weapons program in Iran."

"The new report confirms the continuous expansion of the Iranian enrichment activities, in violation to UN Security Council and IAEA board resolutions, where the increase of capacity to enrich uranium to 20 percent is of particular concern." Most of the report consisted of summarized findings that had already been partially revealed by the agency. There was new information as well, however, for example evidence of a large metal chamber at a military site for nuclear-related explosives testing.

More sanctions?

The UN Security Council has passed four sets of damaging sanctions against Iran over the issue, but veto-wielding China and Russia have indicated reluctance to approve further measures.

 

Juppe says France is ready to slap more sanctions on Iran

Moscow even expressed anger over the publication of the report, saying it could damage efforts to restart stalled talks with Iran. The foreign ministry said it was "gravely disappointed and bewildered."

France and the US, on the other hand, showed a willingness to ratchet up the pressure. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said his country would push for "unprecedented sanctions" if Iran does not answer new questions about its nuclear program. Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped on the report's findings and Israeli's military radio reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered his cabinet not to comment. 

Over the weekend and ahead of the report's release, however, Israeli leaders appeared on domestic and international media outlets and campaigned for increased international pressure on Tehran to halt its nuclear program while the country debated whether it should carry out an airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities. "Iran is the greatest danger, both for Israel and for the entire world," Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Sunday.

Iran dismisses report

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the country won't retreat "one iota" from its nuclear program, which he maintains is for civilian purposes. In a speech broadcast by state television, he said the IAEA was discrediting itself by siding with "absurd" US accusations.

"The Iranian nation is wise. It won't build two bombs against the 20,000 you have," he said in comments apparently directed at the West. "But it builds something you can't respond to: ethics, decency, monotheism and justice."

The EU's Ashton represents six world powers - Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the US - in the frozen negotiations with Iran. Ashton has sent Iran a letter offering to resume negotiations if Tehran comes to the table without pre-conditions. Talks have been suspended since the beginning of the year over Iranian demands that broader nuclear disarmament in the Middle East and economic cooperation be discussed.

Author: Holly Fox (AFP, AP, dpa)
Editor: Michael Lawton