Iran Still Making Nuclear Materials, U.N. Agency Says

Iranian claims to have discontinued research and development related to its nuclear program has been called into question by the International Atomic Energy Agency, an affiliate of the United Nations. The agency’s latest report suggests that Iran persists in making parts and materials that could eventually be used in the creation of nuclear weapons. Iran insists that the evidence found is related to commercial nuclear energy production. But inconsistencies in the origin and constitution of some materials have led to further suspicion; parts Iran had previously claimed were made in the country have since been discovered to be products of Pakistan and perhaps other nations. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a known distributor of illegal nuclear materials to nations like North Korea and Libya, has also been linked to Iranian purchases. Since Iran's original pledge to stop nuclear activity on April 9, investigators say some production has stopped, but at least three private Iranian companies have further developed centrifuge technology that can be used for atomic bombs. One official said, “Not only is there no meaningful suspension but there are activities that can only be explained as moving forward to enrichment.” Although there is no absolutely positive evidence that Iran has military intentions for nuclear bombs, officials still demand full disclosure. – YaleGlobal