Apparently, the lies and propaganda started by US neocons about Iranian nuclear weapons are starting to be believed by some here at DU, with people (as well as candidates) talking about a hypothetical response to an Iranian attack on Israel.
We've been down this road before, six years ago.
Let's clear up some facts, with the help of the International Atomic Energy Agency:
http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-4.pdfF. Summary
52.
The Agency has been able to continue to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material
in Iran. Iran has provided the Agency with access to declared nuclear material and has provided the
required nuclear material accountancy reports in connection with declared nuclear material and
activities. Iran has also responded to questions and provided clarifications and amplifications on the
issues raised in the context of the work plan, with the exception of the alleged studies. Iran has
provided access to individuals in response to the Agency’s requests. Although direct access has not
been provided to individuals said to be associated with the alleged studies, responses have been
provided in writing to some of the Agency’s questions.
53. The Agency has been able to conclude that answers provided by Iran, in accordance with the
work plan, are consistent with its findings — in the case of the polonium-210 experiments and the
Gchine mine — or are not inconsistent with its findings — in the case of the contamination at the
technical university and the procurement activities of the former Head of PHRC. Therefore, the
Agency considers those questions no longer outstanding at this stage. However, the Agency continues,
in accordance with its procedures and practices, to seek corroboration of its findings and to verify
these issues as part of its verification of the completeness of Iran’s declarations.
54. The one major remaining issue relevant to the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme is the alleged
studies on the green salt project, high explosives testing and the missile re-entry vehicle. This is a
matter of serious concern and critical to an assessment of a possible military dimension to Iran’s
nuclear programme. The Agency was able to show some relevant documentation to Iran on 3–5
February 2008 and is still examining the allegations made and the statements provided by Iran in
response. Iran has maintained that these allegations are baseless and that the data have been fabricated.
The Agency’s overall assessment requires, inter alia, an understanding of the role of the uranium metal
document, and clarifications concerning the procurement activities of some military related institutions
still not provided by Iran. The Agency only received authorization to show some further material to
Iran on 15 February 2008. Iran has not yet responded to the Agency’s request of that same date for
Iran to view this additional documentation on the alleged studies. In light of the above, the Agency is
not yet in a position to determine the full nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. However,
it should be
noted that the Agency has not detected the use of nuclear material in connection with the alleged
studies, nor does it have credible information in this regard. The Director General has urged Iran to
engage actively with the Agency in a more detailed examination of the documents available about the
alleged studies which the Agency has been authorized to show to Iran.
55. The Agency has recently received from Iran additional information similar to that which Iran
had previously provided pursuant to the Additional Protocol, as well as updated design information.
As a result, the Agency’s knowledge about Iran’s current declared nuclear programme has become
clearer. However, this information has been provided on an ad hoc basis and not in a consistent and
complete manner. The Director General has continued to urge Iran to implement the Additional
Protocol at the earliest possible date and as an important confidence building measure requested by the
Board of Governors and affirmed by the Security Council. The Director General has also urged Iran to
implement the modified text of its Subsidiary Arrangements General Part, Code 3.1 on the early
provision of design information. Iran has expressed its readiness to implement the provisions of the
Additional Protocol and the modified text of its Subsidiary Arrangements General Part, Code 3.1, “if
the nuclear file is returned from the Security Council to the IAEA”.
56. Contrary to the decisions of the Security Council, Iran has not suspended its enrichment related
activities, having continued the operation of PFEP and FEP. In addition, Iran started the development
of new generation centrifuges. Iran has also continued construction of the IR-40 reactor and operation
of the Heavy Water Production Plant.
57. With regard to its current programme, Iran needs to continue to build confidence about its scope
and nature. Confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme requires that
the Agency be able to provide assurances not only regarding declared nuclear material, but, equally
importantly, regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. With the
exception of the issue of the alleged studies, which remains outstanding, the Agency has no concrete
information about possible current undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. Although Iran
has provided some additional detailed information about its current activities on an ad hoc basis, the
Agency will not be in a position to make progress towards providing credible assurances about the
absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran before reaching some clarity about the
nature of the alleged studies, and without implementation of the Additional Protocol. This is especially
important in the light of the many years of undeclared activities in Iran and the confidence deficit
created as a result. The Director General therefore urges Iran to implement all necessary measures
called for by the Board of Governors and the Security Council to build confidence in the peaceful
nature of its nuclear programme.
58. The Director General will continue to report as appropriate.
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