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Undisclosed Nuclear Equipment Designs Found in Iran, Diplomats Say
International inspectors have discovered an undisclosed design for uranium enrichment centrifuges in Iran, raising questions about Tehran’s commitment to making its nuclear programs completely transparent, the Financial Times reported today (see GSN, Feb. 10). In November, Iran submitted a description of its nuclear activities to the International Atomic Energy Agency, revealing an extensive history of illicit nuclear acquisitions. Denying an interest in nuclear weapons, Iranian officials said the declaration provided a comprehensive picture of Iran’s efforts to build an indigenous nuclear power program. Working with the Iranian documents, agency officials have unearthed a network of illegal nuclear suppliers, culminating recently in the confession of top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan that he supplied nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea (see related GSN story, today; Roula Khalaf, Financial Times, Feb. 12). The centrifuge design found by agency personnel in Iran appears to match one provided by Khan to Libya, which recently disclosed its own nuclear ambitions and has turned over nuclear equipment and documentation to the United States, according to diplomats cited by the Associated Press today (see GSN, Feb. 9). “Coming up with them [the designs in Iran] is an example of real good inspector work,” said one diplomat, describing how agency inspectors found the documents without Iran’s cooperation. “They took information and put it together and put something in front of them [Iranian officials] that they can’t deny,” the diplomat added. Iran has not yet formally explained the failure to disclose the design. “They’ll probably say it’s an oversight,” said one diplomat (Associated Press, CNN.com, Feb. 12). Western officials said the discovery would be included in report by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to be submitted to the agency’s Board of Governors next month. Another issue that remains in dispute is whether Iran is adhering to its pledge to suspend uranium enrichment activities. While it has apparently not enriched any uranium since making the pledge late last year, Iran has continued to assemble enrichment centrifuges. European officials and ElBaradei have held talks with Iranian officials on the issue, but have so far been unable to persuade Iran to suspend all enrichment-related activities (Financial Times). Meanwhile, U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton said today that there is “no doubt” Iran continues to seek nuclear weapons. “They have not yet, in our judgment, complied even with the commitments they made in October to suspend their uranium enrichment activities,” he said (Reuters, Feb. 12).
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