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'{{About|Iran and weapons of mass destruction|Iran's nuclear power program|Nuclear program of Iran}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2012}} {{Weapons of mass destruction}} {{noah isaacson was here}} '''[[Iran]]''' is not known to currently possess '''[[weapons of mass destruction]]''' (WMD) and has signed treaties repudiating the possession of WMDs including the [[Biological Weapons Convention]],<ref name=OPBW /> the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]],<ref name="status" /> and the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (NPT).<ref name="npt">{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/nuke/control/npt/text/npt3.htm |accessdate=17 April 2006 |title=Signatories and Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons}}</ref> Iran has first-hand knowledge of WMD effects—over 100,000 Iranian troops and civilians were victims of [[Chemical warfare#Iran.E2.80.93Iraq War|chemical weapons]] during the 1980s [[Iran–Iraq War]].<ref name="Bahgat">"Nuclear proliferation: The Islamic Republic of Iran", Gawdat Bahgat, Iranian Studies Journal, vol. 39(3), September 2006</ref><ref name="r1">Center for Documents of The Imposed War, Tehran. (مرکز مطالعات و تحقیقات جنگ)</ref> The [[Supreme Leader of Iran]], [[Ayatollah]] [[Ali Khamenei]], along with other clerics, issued a public and categorical religious decree (''[[fatwa]]'') against the development, production, stockpiling and use of [[nuclear weapon]]s,<ref name="sfc31oct03" /><ref name="Ayatollah_NoWMD">{{cite web |url=http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0711090297152426.htm |title=Ayat. Kashani: N-bomb production religiously forbidden |publisher=: |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406013628/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0711090297152426.htm |archivedate=6 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> though it is approved by some relatively minor clerics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Raman|first=Suby|title=Did the IAEA report undermine Khamenei's religious authority?|date=22 November 2011|url=http://subyraman.com/did-the-iaea-report-undermine-khameneis-religious-authority/|work=Tabeer|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425234105/http://subyraman.com/did-the-iaea-report-undermine-khameneis-religious-authority/|archivedate=25 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Later versions of this fatwa forbid only the "use" of nuclear weapons, but said nothing about their production.<ref>{{cite news|author=Glenn Kessler|title=Did Iran's supreme leader issue a Fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2013/11/27/did-irans-supreme-leader-issue-a-fatwa-against-the-development-of-nuclear-weapons}}</ref> Iran has stated its uranium enrichment program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA01f9zNaIJ4IK_Hcuwqy4zf6MWg |title=''AFP'':Six powers to meet soon over Iran's nuclear program |date=15 January 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218110855/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA01f9zNaIJ4IK_Hcuwqy4zf6MWg |archivedate=18 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=207020|title=Iran wants new nuclear fuel talks|author=|date=2 November 2009|website=tehrantimes.com|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> The IAEA has confirmed the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran but has also said it "needs to have confidence in the absence of possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program."<ref> {{cite news | last = Strobel | first = Warren | title = Iran may be seeking nuclear warhead, U.N. watchdog says |work=[[McClatchy News]] | date = 18 February 2010 | url = http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/02/18/86115/iran-may-be-seeking-nuclear-warhead.html | accessdate =26 July 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2010/gov2010-10.pdf |title=International Atomic Energy Agency: Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203080113/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2010/gov2010-10.pdf |archivedate= 3 December 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> In December 2014, a Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control report by Lincy and Milhollin based on IAEA data concluded that Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for one nuclear warhead in 1.7 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/articles-reports/irans-nuclear-timetable |title=Iran's Nuclear Timetable|accessdate=8 February 2015}}.</ref> In 2012, sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies, including the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], reported that Iran was pursuing research that could enable it to produce nuclear weapons, but was not attempting to do so.<ref name=LATimesFeb2013>[http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/23/world/la-fg-iran-intel-20120224 U.S. does not believe Iran is trying to build nuclear bomb], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', February 23, 2012.</ref> The senior officers of all of the major American intelligence agencies stated that there was no conclusive evidence that Iran has made any attempt to produce nuclear weapons since 2003.<ref>[http://www.richardsilverstein.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Hersh-6-6-11.pdf Iran and the Bomb], [[Seymour Hersh]], ''[[The New Yorker]]'', June 30, 2011.</ref> In a 2007 [[National Intelligence Estimate]], the [[United States Intelligence Community]] assessed that Iran had ended all "nuclear weapon design and weaponization work" in 2003.<ref>[http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20071203_release.pdf Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122022043/http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20071203_release.pdf |date=22 November 2010 }}, National Intelligence Estimate, November 2007.</ref> U.S. [[Defense Secretary]] [[Leon Panetta]] stated in January 2012 that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, but was not attempting to produce nuclear weapons.<ref name=autogenerated4>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/world/middleeast/iran-will-soon-move-uranium-work-underground-official-says.html?pagewanted=2 Iran Trumpets Nuclear Ability at a Second Location], New York Times, 8 January 2012.</ref> In 2009, U.S. intelligence assessed that Iranian intentions were unknown.<ref name=CRS09>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf |title=''Federation of American Scientists'': Iran's Nuclear Program: Status |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://intelligence.senate.gov/090212/blair.pdf Dennis Blair: Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (2009)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812234539/http://intelligence.senate.gov/090212/blair.pdf |date=12 August 2009 }}<blockquote>We judge in fall 2003 Tehran halted its nuclear weapons design and weaponization activities and that the halt lasted at least several years... Although we do not know whether Iran currently intends to develop nuclear weapons, we assess Tehran at a minimum is keeping open the option to develop them... develop nuclear weapons, we assess Tehran at a minimum is keeping open the option to develop them.</blockquote></ref> Some European intelligence believe Iran has resumed its alleged nuclear weapons design work.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/world/middleeast/04nuke.html?hp|title=Report Says Iran Has Data to Make a Nuclear Bomb |last=Broad|first=William J.|author2=DAVID E. SANGER|date=3 October 2009 |work=New York Times|accessdate=25 October 2009}}</ref> Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]] said he had seen no evidence of any nuclear weapons program in Iran,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091203/157086953.html |title=''RIA NOVOSTI'', 'Putin: No information on Iran's work on nuclear weapons' |publisher=En.rian.ru |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> while Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] said Iran was close to having the capability to produce nuclear weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100712/159771831.html |title=''RIA Novosti'': Iran could acquire nuke weapons capability – Medvedev (update 1) |publisher=En.rian.ru |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Medvedev-Iran-Nearer-to-Nuclear-Weapons-Potential-98239489.html |title=Medvedev: Iran Nearer to Nuclear Weapons Potential |publisher=.voanews.com |date=12 July 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran has called for [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear weapons states]] to [[Nuclear disarmament|disarm]] and for the Middle East to be a [[Nuclear-weapon-free zone|nuclear weapon free zone]].<ref name=IranDAConf /> <!--The [[Non-Aligned Movement]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/06/sep/1183.html|title=Iran Wins Backing From Non-Aligned Bloc|publisher=|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> Turkey,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=108007|title=''Daily Star'': Turkey lauds Iran's positive approach to nuclear talks|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2009/971/op6.htm ''Al-Ahram Weekly'': We need more Erdogans]<blockquote>. the Turkish prime minister has slammed the West for being unfair to Iran and applying double standards on the issue.</blockquote></ref> China,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2009/11/15/veto-wielding-china-says-no-to-iran-sanctions/|title=''Islami Davet'': Veto-wielding China says 'no' to Iran sanctions|author=|date=|website=islamidavet.com|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> [[Syria]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182286,00.html|title=''FoxNews'': Syria Supports Iran's 'Right' to Nuclear Technology|work=Fox News|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> [[Afghanistan]],<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C02%5C17%5Cstory_17-2-2006_pg7_3 ''Daily Times'': Afghanistan will not allow use of its territory against Pakistan: Karzai]<blockquote>"I am against any weapons, especially against nuclear weapons," he said when asked about the impact of Iran's nuclear programme on regional politics. "I think we all have the right to peaceful nuclear energy. But nations have their sovereign right to choose the directions they want to go. That's not for us to decide."</blockquote></ref> the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|Gulf Cooperation Council]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=126029&d=3&m=9&y=2009|title=''Arab News'': GCC ministers call for cementing relations with Iran|publisher=|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> and the [[Arab League]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060529/2006052901.html|title=''Arabic News'': http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060529/2006052901.html|author=|date=|website=arabicnews.com|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mathaba.net/news/?x=573189|title=''Mathaba'': Amr Mussa: No negative feelings between Iran, Arab League|publisher=|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> have expressed their support for Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear energy.--> After the IAEA voted in a rare non-consensus decision to find Iran in non-compliance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement and to report that non-compliance to the UN Security Council,<ref name="IAEAIran2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2005/gov2005-77.pdf |title=IAEA Board of Governors: "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran" (September 2005) |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2006/gov2006-14.pdf |title=IAEA Board of Governors: "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran" (February 2006) |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> the Council demanded that Iran suspend its [[Isotope separation|nuclear enrichment]] activities<ref>[http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/450/22/PDF/N0645022.pdf?OpenElement Resolution 1696 (2006)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625160823/http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/450/22/PDF/N0645022.pdf?OpenElement |date=25 June 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8792.doc.htm |title=Security Council Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment by 31 August, or Face Possible Economic, Diplomatic Sanctions |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> and imposed [[sanctions against Iran]]<ref name="UNNews2">{{cite web|date=23 December 2006|url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8928.doc.htm|title=Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Iran for failure to halt Uranium Enrichment, Unanimously adopting Resolution 1737 (2006)}}</ref><ref name=IranSanction2>{{cite web|date=24 March 2007|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21997&Cr=Iran&Cr1|title=Security Council tightens sanctions against Iran over uranium enrichment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sc9268.doc.htm |title=Security Council Tightens Restrictions on Iran's Proliferation-Sensitive Nuclear Activities, Increases Vigilance Over Iranian Banks, Has States Inspect Cargo |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28329&Cr=Iran&Cr1=nuclear |title=''UN'': Security Council calls on Iran to comply with nuclear obligations |publisher=United Nations |date=27 September 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> when Iran refused to do so.<ref name="UNSEC Res">{{cite web|date=31 July 2006|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19353&Cr=iran&Cr1=|title=UN Security Council demands that Iran suspend nuclear activities|publisher=UN News Centre}}</ref> Former Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] argued that the sanctions were [[international law|illegal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20969975 |title=''MSNBC'': "Ahmadinejad: Iran's nuclear issue is 'closed'" (09/25/2007) |publisher=NBC News |date=25 September 2007 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The IAEA has been able to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, but not the absence of undeclared activities.<ref name=IAEA_111307>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2007/gov2007-58.pdf |title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007) in the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The [[Non-Aligned Movement]] has called on both sides to work through the IAEA for a solution.<ref name="ReutersNAM" /> In November 2009, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted<ref>[http://www.france24.com/en/node/4935014 ''France24'': UN atomic watchdog censures Iran: diplomats ]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<blockquote>Of the 35-member board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 25 countries voted in favour of the resolution, diplomats said. Three countries – Venezuela, Malaysia and Cuba – voted against the resolution. Six countries – Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey – abstained. One country, Azerbaijan, was absent from the vote.</blockquote></ref> a resolution against Iran which urged Iran to apply the modified Code 3.1 to its Safeguard Agreement,<ref name=BOG112709>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2009/gov2009-82.pdf |title=Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> urged Iran to implement and ratify the Additional Protocol,<ref name=BOG112709 /> and expressed "serious concern" that Iran had not cooperated on issues that needed "to be clarified to exclude the possibility of military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program."<ref name=BOGRES2>{{cite news|last=Cooper |first=Helene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/world/28nuke.html?_r=1&hp |title='&#39;New York Times'&#39;: Iran Censured Over Nuclear Program by U.N. Watchdog |location=Iran;Russia;China |work=The New York Times |date=27 November 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran said the "hasty and undue" resolution would "jeopardize the conducive environment vitally needed" for successful negotiations<ref name=BOGRES2 /> and lead to cooperation not exceeding its "legal obligations to the body".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=112251&sectionid=351020104 |title=''PressTV'': Iran: New resolution will 'damage' IAEA cooperation |publisher=Presstv.com |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220118/http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=112251&sectionid=351020104 |archivedate=4 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ==Nuclear weapons== {{See also|Nuclear program of Iran}} {{Nuclear program of Iran}} ===Overview=== In September 2005, the IAEA Board of Governors, in a rare non-consensus decision with 12 abstentions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asil.org/insights/2005/09/insights050929.html |title=ASIL Insight – Iran's Resumption of its Nuclear Program: Addendum |publisher=Asil.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> recalled a previous Iranian "policy of concealment" regarding its enrichment program<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2003/75">{{Cite book|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2003/gov2003-75.pdf |accessdate=25 October 2007 |title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran |date=10 November 2003 |id=GOV/2003/75 |publisher=IAEA |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025173821/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2003/gov2003-75.pdf |archivedate=25 October 2007 }}</ref> and found that Iran had violated its NPT Safeguards Agreement.<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2005/77">{{Cite book|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2005/gov2005-77.pdf |accessdate=25 October 2007|title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=24 September 2005|id=GOV/2005/77|publisher=IAEA }}</ref> Another IAEA report stated "there is no evidence that the previously undeclared nuclear material and activities ... were related to a nuclear weapons program."<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2003/75"/> Iran has claimed that the military threat posed by Israel and the United States is forcing it to restrict the release of information on its nuclear program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2007_4_2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208223330/http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2007_4_2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2007|title=NTI: Global Security Newswire - Monday, April 2, 2007|date=8 December 2007|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> [[Gawdat Bahgat]] of the [[National Defense University]] speculates that Iran may have a lack of confidence in the international community which was reinforced when many nations, under pressure from the United States, rejected or withdrew from signed commercial deals with the Iranian nuclear authority.<ref name="Gawdat Bahgat">"[http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/index/L368854758H065M1.pdf Nuclear proliferation: The Islamic Republic of Iran]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", Gawdat Bahgat, ''[[Iranian Studies Journal]]'', vol. 39(3), September 2006</ref> On 31 July 2006, the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding Iran suspend its enrichment program.<ref name="UNSEC Res"/> On 23 December 2006, the Security Council imposed [[sanctions against Iran]],<ref name="UNNews2"/> which were tightened on 24 March 2007,<ref name="IranSanction2"/> because Iran refused to suspend enrichment. Iran's representative to the UN argued that the sanctions compelled Iran to abandon its rights under the NPT to peaceful nuclear technology.<ref name="UNNews2"/> The [[Non-Aligned Movement]] called on both sides to work through the [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]] for a solution.<ref name="ReutersNAM" /> US intelligence predicted in August 2005 that Iran could have the key ingredients for a nuclear weapon by 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101453.html |title=Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb |work=The Washington Post |date=2 August 2005 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Dafna |last=Linzer}}</ref> On 25 October 2007, the United States declared the [[Revolutionary Guards]] a "proliferator of weapons of mass destruction", and the [[Quds Force]] a "supporter of terrorism".<ref name="BBC-USLabel">{{cite news|date=25 October 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7061991.stm |title=US imposes new sanctions on Iran |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> Iran responded that "it is incongruent for a country [US] who itself is a producer of weapons of mass destruction to take such a decision."<ref name="BBC-USLabel" /> [[Mohamed ElBaradei]], director of the IAEA at the time, said he had no evidence Iran was building nuclear weapons and accused US leaders of adding "fuel to the fire" with their rhetoric.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22664498-5005961,00.html No evidence Iran is making nukes: ElBaradei] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030043313/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C22664498-5005961%2C00.html |date=30 October 2007 }}</ref> Speaking in Washington in November 2007, days before the IAEA was to publish its latest report, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister [[Shaul Mofaz]] called for ElBaradei to be sacked, saying: "The policies followed by ElBaradei endanger world peace. His irresponsible attitude of sticking his head in the sand over Iran's nuclear programme should lead to his impeachment." Israel and some western governments fear Iran is using its nuclear programme as a covert means to develop weapons, while Iran says it is aimed solely at producing electricity. For its part in the conflict-ridden Middle East, Israel is a member of the IAEA, but it is not itself a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and is widely believed to currently be the only nuclear-armed state in the region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7085213.stm|date=8 November 2007|title=Israel minister: Sack ElBaradei|publisher=BBC News }}</ref> ===History=== Iran's nuclear program began as a result of the Cold War alliance between the United States and the Shah of Iran, [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], who emerged as an important US ally in the Persian Gulf.<ref name="iiss.org">{{cite book|title=Iran's Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Capabilities |year=2011 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies|location=London|isbn=978-0-86079-207-9|page=7|url=http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/irans-nuclear-chemical-and-biological-capabilities/}}</ref> Under the [[Atoms for Peace]] program, Iran received basic nuclear research facilities from the United States. In return, Tehran signed the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]] (NPT) in 1968. Fueled by high oil prices in the 1970s, Iran sought to purchase large-scale nuclear facilities from Western suppliers in order to develop nuclear power and fuel-cycle facilities with both civilian and potential military applications.<ref name="iiss.org"/> In March 1974, the shah established the [[Atomic Energy Organization of Iran]] (AEOI).<ref>{{cite book|title=Iran's Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Capabilities |year=2011 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies|location=London|isbn=978-0-86079-207-9 |page=9|url=http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/irans-nuclear-chemical-and-biological-capabilities/}}</ref> Sensing a heightened risk of nuclear proliferation, the United States convinced Western allies to limit the export of nuclear fuel-cycle facilities to Iran. Supreme Leader Ayatollah [[Ruhollah Khomeini]], whose revolution displaced the Shah's monarchy in 1979 and ruled the newly established [[Islamic Republic of Iran]] until his death in 1989, placed little emphasis on nuclear weapons development because it was viewed as a suspicious Western innovation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Iran's Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Capabilities |year=2011 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies|location=London|isbn=978-0-86079-207-9 |page=10|url=http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/irans-nuclear-chemical-and-biological-capabilities/}}</ref> During that time, many of Iran's top scientists fled the country while the United States organized an international campaign to block any nuclear assistance to Iran. Following the death of Ayotollah Khomeini, the leadership of President [[Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]] and Supreme Leader [[Ali Hosseini Khamenei]] sought to revive Iran's overt nuclear civilian program and expand undeclared nuclear activities during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/iran-nuclear-archive-impressions-and-implications |title=The Iran Nuclear Archive: Impressions and Implications|website=Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs|language=en|access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref> According to a strategic dossier from [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], Iran turned away from Western suppliers and obtained nuclear assistance from Russia and China in a number of key areas, including uranium mining, milling and conversion, as well as technology for heavy-water research reactors.<ref name="iiss.org"/> However, Washington intervened with Moscow and Beijing to prevent Iran from fully acquiring its list of nuclear power and fuel-cycle facilities. The 1990s also saw Iran expand its furtive nuclear research into conversion, enrichment and plutonium separation. "Most importantly, on the basis of additional centrifuge assistance from the [[A.Q. Khan]] network, Iran was able to begin the construction of pilot-scale and industrial-scale enrichment facilities at Natanz around 2000."<ref name="iiss.org"/> Full exposure of Iran's nuclear activities came in 2002, when an Iranian exiled opposition group, the [[National Council of Resistance of Iran]] (NCRI) declared the Natanz project in August of that year. Since that time, international pressure on Iran has remained steady, hampering but not halting the country's nuclear development.<ref name="iiss.org"/> Iran remains legally bound to the NPT and states its support for the treaty. There are various estimates of when Iran might be able to produce a nuclear weapon, should it choose to do so: * A 2005 assessment by the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] concluded "if Iran threw caution to the wind, and sought a nuclear weapon capability as quickly as possible without regard for international reaction, it might be able to produce enough HEU for a single nuclear weapon by the end of this decade", assuming no technical problems. The report concludes, however, that it is unlikely that Iran would flatly ignore international reactions and develop nuclear weapons anyway.<ref name="IISSassessment">{{cite web |url=http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/irans-strategic-weapons-programmes |accessdate=3 June 2006 |title=Iran's Strategic Weapons Programmes – A Net Assessment |year=2005 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}</ref> * A 2005 US [[National Intelligence Estimate]] stated that Iran was ten years from making a nuclear weapon.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101453.html |accessdate=20 September 2007 |title=Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb U.S. Intelligence Review Contrasts With Administration Statements |work=Washington Post | first=Dafna | last=Linzer | date=2 August 2005}}</ref> * In 2006 [[Ernst Uhrlau]], the head of German [[Bundesnachrichtendienst|intelligence service]], said Tehran would not be able to produce enough material for a nuclear bomb before 2010 and would only be able to make it into a weapon by about 2015.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKL242351720061024 Iran could have nuclear bomb by 2015] [[Reuters]] 24 October 2006</ref> * A 2007 annual review the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London stated that "If and when Iran does have 3,000 centrifuges operating smoothly, the IISS estimates it would take an additional 9-11 months to produce 25&nbsp;kg of highly enriched uranium, enough for one implosion-type weapon. That day is still 2–3 years away at the earliest."<ref name="IISS2007assessment">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4031603.stm |accessdate=20 September 2007 |title=Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue |year=2007 |publisher=BBC | date=22 January 2010}}</ref> * The former head of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, said on 24 May 2007 that Iran could take between 3 and 8 years to make a bomb if it went down that route.<ref name="IISS2007assessment"/> * On 22 October 2007, Mohamed ElBaradei repeated that, even assuming Iran was trying to develop a nuclear bomb, they would require "between another three and eight years to succeed", an assessment shared by "all the intelligence services".<ref name=irishtimes-20071022>{{cite news|title=Iran bomb would take '3–8 years' to build|work=The Irish Times |date=22 October 2007|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/1022/breaking29.html|accessdate=22 October 2007}}</ref> * In December 2007, the United States [[National Intelligence Estimate]] (representing the consensus view of all 16 American intelligence agencies) concluded with a "high level of confidence" that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and "with moderate confidence" that the program remains frozen as of mid-2007. The new estimate says that the enrichment program could still provide Iran with enough raw material to produce a nuclear weapon sometime by the middle of next decade, but that intelligence agencies "''do not know whether it currently intends to develop nuclear weapons''" at some future date.<ref name=autogenerated3>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/world/middleeast/03cnd-iran.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin U.S. Says Iran Ended Atomic Arms Work] [[New York Times]] 3 December 2007</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20071203_release.pdf |title=Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities (National Intelligence Estimate) |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122022043/http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20071203_release.pdf |archivedate=22 November 2010 }}</ref> Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said 70 percent of the U.S. report was "true and positive," but denied its allegations of Iran having had a nuclear weapons program before 2003. Russia has said there was no proof Iran has ever run a nuclear weapons program.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316221,00.html |title=Iran: U.S. Spied to Get Nuke Info |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=21 October 2011}}</ref> The former head of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, stated that he had seen "maybe some studies about possible weaponization", but "no evidence" of "an active weaponization program" as of October 2007.<ref name=IHT_102907 /> [[Thomas Fingar]], former Chairman of the National Intelligence Council until December 2008, in reference to the 2007 Iran NIE and using intelligence to anticipate opportunities and shape the future, said intelligence has a "recently reinforced propensity to underscore, overstate, or 'hype' the findings in order to get people to pay attention" and that the 2007 NIE was intended to send the message "you do not have a lot of time but you appear to have a diplomatic or non-military option".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/5859/lecture_text.pdf |title=''Stanford University'': Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence and National Security – Using Intelligence to Anticipate Opportunities and Shape the Future |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915004946/http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/5859/lecture_text.pdf |archivedate=15 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) is the most authoritative written judgment concerning a national security issue prepared by the Director of Central Intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foia.cia.gov/soviet_estimates.asp |title=Central Intelligence Agency: Declassified National Intelligence Estimates on the Soviet Union and International Communism |publisher=Foia.cia.gov |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426221002/http://www.foia.cia.gov/soviet_estimates.asp |archivedate=26 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> * The U.S. Director of National Intelligence said in February 2009 that Iran would not realistically be able to a get a nuclear weapon until 2013, if it chose to develop one.,<ref name=ReutEst/> and that US intelligence does not know whether Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons, but believes Iran could at least be keeping the option to develop them open.<ref>[http://www.france24.com/en/20090212-us-intelligence-unsure-irans-nuclear-weapons-intentions-chief ''France24'': US intelligence unsure of Iran's nuclear weapons intentions: chief ] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Mossad Chief [[Meir Dagan]] was more cautious, saying recently that it would take the Iranians until 2014. German, French, and British intelligence say that under a worst-case scenario it would take Iran a minimum of 18 months to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to build one, and it would have to first purify its uranium and weaponize its uranium.<ref name=ReutEst>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN25158068 |title='&#39;Reuters'&#39;: RPT-EXCLUSIVE-Iran would need 18 months for atom bomb-diplomats |agency=Reuters |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Louis |last=Charbonneau |date=26 October 2009}}</ref> An anonymous source in the German Foreign Intelligence Service (BND) whose rank was not provided has gone further and claimed Iran could produce a nuclear bomb and conduct an underground test in 6 months if it wanted to and further asserted that Iran had already mastered the full uranium enrichment cycle, and possessed enough centrifuges to produce weapons-grade uranium.<ref name="stern">{{cite web|url=http://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/:Irans-Atomwaffenprogramm-In-Monaten-Bombe/706266.html|title=In sechs Monaten können sie die Bombe zünden|date=15 July 2009|publisher=Stern|accessdate=15 July 2009}}</ref><ref>[http://en.rian.ru/world/20090716/155542118.html Iran could 'set off a uranium bomb within 6 months' – German media] RIA Novosti. 16 July 2009</ref> Physicists say that if Iran were to choose to develop a nuclear weapon, it would have to withdraw from the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expel International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors from the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-nuclear22-2009oct22,0,2676789.story |title='&#39;Los Angeles Times'&#39;: Iran, world powers agree to draft deal on uranium |work=Los Angeles Times |date=21 October 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Borzou |last=Daragahi}}</ref> [[George Friedman]], head of the global intelligence company [[Stratfor]], has said Iran is "decades away" from developing any credible nuclear-arms capacity.<ref name="online.barrons.com">{{cite web|last=Laing |first=Jonathan R. |url=http://online.barrons.com/article/SB121764266163806675.html?mod=googlenews_barrons |title=''Barron's'': "In Sight: an Amicable Endgame in Iran" |publisher=Online.barrons.com |date=4 August 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> * On 12 February 2010 US think tank expert [[David Albright]], the head of the Institute for Science and International Security, said in a report that Iran was seeking to "make sufficient weapons-grade uranium". His claim was criticized by former chief U.N. weapons inspector [[Scott Ritter]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118436&sectionid=351020104 |title=Press TV 02/12/2010 |publisher=Presstv.ir |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215071542/http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118436&sectionid=351020104 |archivedate=15 February 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> * An IAEA report issued 8 November 2011 provided detailed information outlining the IAEA's concerns about the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, noting that Iran had pursued a structured program or activities relevant to the development of nuclear weapons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2011/gov2011-65.pdf|title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=8 November 2011|publisher=IAEA Board of Governors|author=IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano|accessdate=23 December 2011}}</ref> * On 30 April 2018, Israeli Prime Minister [[Binyamin Netanyahu]] revealed thousands of files he said were copied from a "highly secret location" in Teheran which show an Iranian effort to develop nuclear weapons between 1999 and 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel says it holds a trove of documents from Iran’s secret nuclear weapons archive |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israel-says-it-holds-a-trove-of-documents-from-irans-secret-nuclear-weapons-archive/2018/04/30/16865450-4c8d-11e8-85c1-9326c4511033_story.html?noredirect=on|accessdate=3 May 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|date=30 April 2018}}</ref> * On 1 May 2018 the IAEA reiterated its 2015 report, saying it had found no credible evidence of nuclear weapons activity in Iran after 2009.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iaea-no-credible-indications-of-iran-nuclear-weapons-activity-after-2009/4372080.html|title=IAEA: 'No Credible Indications' of Iran Nuclear Weapons Activity After 2009 |last=|first=|date=2018-05-01|work=[[VOA]]|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43960836|title=Iran nuclear row: Tehran says Israel's Netanyahu lied|last=|first=|date=2018-05-01|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/statement-on-iran-by-the-iaea-spokesperson|title=Statement on Iran by the IAEA Spokesperson|last=|first=|date=2018-05-01|website=[[IAEA]]|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03}}</ref> ===IAEA=== The [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) is an autonomous international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. On 6 March 2006, the IAEA Secretariat reported that "''the Agency has not seen indications of diversion of nuclear material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices ... however, after three years of intensive verification, there remain uncertainties with regard to both the scope and the nature of Iran's nuclear programme''".<ref name="iaea statement">{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2006/ebsp2006n003.html#iran |title=Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors by IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei|year=2006|accessdate=17 April 2006}}</ref> However, the inspectors did find some sensitive documents, including instructions and diagrams on how to make [[uranium]] into a [[sphere]], which is only necessary to make nuclear weapons. Iran furnished the IAEA with copies, claiming not to have used the information for weapons work, which it had obtained along with other technology and parts in 1987 and the mid-1990s.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2007/iran-070224-irna01.htm Iran made 15-page document available to IAEA inspectors], GlobalSecurity.org, 24 February 2006</ref> It is thought this material was sold to them by [[Abdul Qadeer Khan]],<ref name="global security">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/khan-iran.htm|title=Global Security article on the involvement of Abdul Qadeer Khan with Iran.|year=2007|accessdate=16 February 2007}}</ref> though the documents did not have the necessary technical details to actually manufacture a bomb. On 18 December 2003, Iran voluntarily signed, but did not ratify or bring into force, an Additional Protocol that allows IAEA inspectors access to individuals, documentation relating to procurement, [[dual-use technology|dual-use equipment]], certain military-owned workshops, and research and development locations.<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2005/87">{{Cite book |url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2005/gov2005-87.pdf |accessdate=17 April 2006 |title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=18 November 2005|id=GOV/2005/87|publisher=IAEA }}</ref> Iran agreed voluntarily to implement the Additional Protocol provisionally, however when the IAEA reported Iran's non-compliance to the [[United Nations Security Council]] on 4 February 2006 Iran withdrew from its voluntary adherence to the Additional Protocol.<ref name="HCFAC-20080220">{{Cite book |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/142/14202.htm|title=Global Security: Iran|date=20 February 2008|publisher=House of Commons [[Foreign Affairs Select Committee]]|accessdate=2 March 2008}}</ref> On 12 May 2006, claims that highly enriched uranium (well over the 3.5% enriched level) was reported to have been found "at a site where Iran has denied such sensitive atomic work", appeared. "They have found particles of highly enriched uranium [HEU], but it is not clear if this is contamination from centrifuges that had been previously found [from imported material] or something new," said one diplomat close to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These reports have not yet been officially confirmed by the IAEA (as of 1 June 2006).<ref name="Highly Enriched Detected 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=271622&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/|title=UN finds highly enriched uranium traces in Iran|year=2006|accessdate=1 June 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520081230/http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=271622&area=%2Fbreaking_news%2Fbreaking_news__international_news%2F|archivedate=20 May 2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Highly Enriched Detected 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-05-13-iran-nuclear_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA|title=Diplomats: New traces of highly enriched uranium found in Iran|accessdate=1 June 2006 | work=USA Today | date=13 May 2006}}</ref><ref name="Highly Enriched Detected 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/639257.html|title=IAEA inspectors found traces of highly enriched uranium in Iran|year=2006|accessdate=1 June 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811053157/http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/639257.html|archivedate=11 August 2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 31 July 2006, the [[United Nations Security Council]] passed a resolution demanding that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment activities.<ref name="UNSEC Res" /> In late 2006, "New traces of plutonium and enriched uranium– potential material for atomic warheads– have been found [by the IAEA] in a nuclear waste facility in Iran." However, "A senior U.N. official who was familiar with the report cautioned against reading too much into the findings of traces of highly enriched uranium and plutonium, saying Iran had explained both and they could plausibly be classified as byproducts of peaceful nuclear activities."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-11/15/content_733403.htm|title=IAEA finds traces of plutonium in Iran|agency=Associated Press|date=15 November 2006|accessdate=1 March 2007}}</ref> In 2007 these traces were determined to have come from leaking used highly enriched uranium fuel from the [[Tehran Research Reactor]], which the U.S. supplied to Iran in 1967, and the matter was closed.<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2007/48">{{Cite book|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2007/gov2007-48.pdf |accessdate=25 October 2007|title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=30 August 2007|id=GOV/2007/48|publisher=IAEA}}</ref> In July 2007 the IAEA announced that Iran has agreed to allow inspectors to visit its Arak nuclear plant, and by August 2007 a plan for monitoring the Natanz uranium enrichment plant will have been finalised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnNL13198193.html|title=IAEA, Iran agree visit at disputed reactor site|publisher=Reuters|date=16 July 2007|accessdate=18 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228122634/http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnNL13198193.html|archivedate=28 December 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In August 2007 the IAEA announced that Iran has agreed to a plan to resolve key questions regarding its past nuclear activities. The IAEA described this as a "significant step forward".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6970488.stm|title=Iran accepts fresh nuclear plan|publisher=BBC News |date=30 July 2007|accessdate=30 July 2007}}</ref> In September 2007 the IAEA announced it has been able to verify that Iran's declared nuclear material has not been diverted from peaceful use. While the IAEA has been unable to verify some "important aspects" regarding the nature and scope of Iran's nuclear work, the agency and Iranian officials agreed on a plan to resolve all outstanding issues, Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said at the time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/09/17/france.iran/index.html|title=Iran angry with France over war warning|publisher=CNN|date=17 September 2007|accessdate=17 September 2007}}</ref> In an interview with [[Radio Audizioni Italiane]] the same month, ElBaradei remarked that "Iran does not constitute a certain and immediate threat for the international community".<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C09%5C22%5Cstory_22-9-2007_pg4_14 Tehran not an 'immediate threat'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203082644/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C09%5C22%5Cstory_22-9-2007_pg4_14 |date=3 February 2008 }} [[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]] 22 September 2007</ref> In October 2007, ElBaradei amplified these remarks, telling [[Le Monde]] that, even if Iran did intend to develop a nuclear bomb, they would need "between another three and eight years to succeed". He went on to note that "all the intelligence services" agree with this assessment and that he wanted to "get people away from the idea that Iran will be a threat from tomorrow, and that we are faced right now with the issue of whether Iran should be bombed or allowed to have the bomb".<ref name=irishtimes-20071022 /> In late October 2007, according to the [[International Herald Tribune]], the former head of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, stated that he had seen "no evidence" of Iran developing nuclear weapons. The IHT quoted ElBaredei as stating that, <blockquote> "We have information that there has been maybe some studies about possible weaponization," said Mohamed ElBaradei, who led the International Atomic Energy Agency. "That's why we have said that we cannot give Iran a pass right now, because there is still a lot of question marks." "But have we seen Iran having the nuclear material that can readily be used into a weapon? No. Have we seen an active weaponization program? No."</blockquote> The IHT report went on to say that "ElBaradei said he was worried about the growing rhetoric from the U.S., which he noted focused on Iran's alleged intentions to build a nuclear weapon rather than evidence the country was actively doing so. If there is actual evidence, ElBaradei said he would welcome seeing it."<ref name=IHT_102907>{{cite news|title=UN nuclear watchdog chief expresses concern about anti-Iran rhetoric from US|work=International Herald Tribune|date=28 October 2007|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/28/america/NA-GEN-US-Iran.php|accessdate=29 October 2007}}</ref> In November 2007 ElBaradei circulated a report to the upcoming meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2007/58">{{Cite book |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/15_11_07_iran_iaeareport.pdf |accessdate=16 November 2007|title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007) in the Islamic Republic of Iran|date=15 November 2007|id=GOV/2007/58|publisher=IAEA}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iran more transparent but expands nuclear campaign|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111501096_pf.html |author=Mark Heinrich |publisher=Reuters |date=15 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/world/middleeast/16nuke.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin |title=Report Raises New Doubts on Iran Nuclear Program|work=New York Times|date=16 November 2007 | first1=Elaine | last1=Sciolino | first2=William J. | last2=Broad | accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref> Its findings conclude that Iran has made important strides towards clarifying its past activities, including provided access to documentation and officials involved in centrifuge design in the 1980s and 1990s. Answers provided by Iran regarding the past P-1 and P-2 centrifuge programs were found to be consistent with the IAEA's own findings. However, Iran has ignored the demands of the UN Security council, and has continued to enrich uranium in the past year. The IAEA is not able to conclusively confirm that Iran isn't currently enriching uranium for military purposes, as its inspections have been restricted to workshops previously declared as part of the civilian uranium enrichment program, and requests for access to certain military workshops have been denied; the report noted that "As a result, the agency's knowledge about Iran's current nuclear program is diminishing". The report also confirmed that Iran now possesses 3000 centrifuges, a 10-fold increase over the past year, though the feed rate is below the maximum for a facility of this design. Data regarding the P-2 centrifuge, which Ahmadinejad has claimed will quadruple production of enriched uranium, was provided only several days before the report was published; the IAEA plan to discuss this issue further in December. In response to the report the US has vowed to push for more sanctions, whilst Iran has called for an apology from the US.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7098751.stm|title=Iran calls for US nuclear apology|date=16 November 2007|publisher=BBC News }}</ref> In his final November 2009 statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, Mohamed ElBaradei said the Agency continued to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, but that other issues of concern had reached a "dead end" unless Iran were to fully cooperate with the agency. ElBaradei stated it would be helpful if "we were able to share with Iran more of the material that is at the centre of these concerns", and also said it would be helpful if Iran fully implemented the Subsidiary Arrangements to its Safeguards Agreement and fully implemented the Additional Protocol. ElBaradei said Iran's failure to report the existence of a new fuel enrichment facility until September 2009 was inconsistent with its obligations under the Subsidiary Arrangements to its Safeguards Agreement. ElBaradei closed by saying international negotiations represented a "unique opportunity to address a humanitarian need and create space for negotiations".<ref>{{cite web|author=Austria |url=http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2009/ebsp2009n021.html |title=International Atomic Energy Agency: Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors by IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei (26 November 2009) |publisher=Iaea.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> On 18 February 2010 the IAEA released a new report on Iran's nuclear program. Ivan Oelrich and Ivanka Barzashka, writing in the ''[[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]'', suggested "the media has seriously misrepresented the actual contents of the report" and that "in fact, no new information has been revealed." They wrote that there was "no independent assessment that Iran is engaged in weapons work" and that this was "hardly the first time that the agency has discussed potential evidence of Tehran's nuclear weapons research".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Oelrich |first=Ivan |url=http://thebulletin.org/theres-still-nothing-new-iran |title=There's still nothing new on Iran | journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |date=19 March 2010 |accessdate=24 September 2013}}</ref> Iran's envoy to the UN atomic watchdog criticized Western powers for interpreting the IAEA report in an "exaggerated, selective and inaccurate" manner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstv.ir/classic/detail.aspx?id=119066&sectionid=351020104 |title=''PressTV'': Iran questions Amano's basis for 'concern' |publisher=Presstv.ir |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927082727/http://www.presstv.ir/classic/detail.aspx?id=119066&sectionid=351020104 |archivedate=27 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ''[[PressTV]]'' reported that the report verified the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran and that Iran started enriching uranium to a higher level in the presence of IAEA inspectors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118942&sectionid=351020104 |title=''PressTV'': IAEA confirms 20% uranium enrichment in Iran |publisher=Presstv.ir |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221170325/http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118942&sectionid=351020104 |archivedate=21 February 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In an April 2010 interview with the BBC, former IAEA Director General ElBaradei said Western nations were seeking harsher sanctions "out of frustration". "I don't think Iran is developing, or we have new information that Iran is developing, a nuclear weapon today .. there is a concern about Iran's future intentions, but even if you talk to MI6 or the CIA, they will tell you they are still four or five years away from a weapon. So, we have time to engage," he said. ElBaradei further said the building of trust between the parties would "not happen until the two sides sit around the negotiating table and address their grievances. Sooner or later that will happen."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8611864.stm |title='&#39;BBC'&#39;: Iran unveils 'faster' uranium centrifuges |publisher=BBC News |date=9 April 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> ====Alleged weaponization studies==== {{See also|Nuclear program of Iran#The Laptop and "Alleged Studies"}} Former IAEA Director General ElBaradei said in 2009 that the agency had been provided with "no credible evidence" that Iran is developing nuclear weapons,<ref name=GuaNoEv>{{cite news |author1=Julian Borger |author2=Richard Norton-Taylor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/30/iranian-nuclear-weapons-mohamed-elbaradei |title='&#39;The Guardian'&#39;: 'No credible evidence' of Iranian nuclear weapons, says UN inspector |work=The Guardian |location=UK |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=30 September 2009}}</ref> but the ''New York Times'' reported in January 2009 that the IAEA is investigating U.S. allegations ''Project 110'' and ''Project 111'' could be names for Iranian efforts for designing a nuclear warhead and making it work with an Iranian missile.<ref name="nyt20080111">{{cite news|author=David E. Sanger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/washington/11iran.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&sq=israel%20iran&st=cse&scp=1 |title=U.S. Rejected Aid for Israeli Raid on Iranian Nuclear Site |location=Iran;Israel |work=The New York Times |date=10 January 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> "We are looking to those suppliers of information to help us on the question of authenticity, because that is really a major issue. It is not an issue that involves nuclear material; it's a question of allegations," ElBaradei further said.<ref name=AEOI_PC /> ElBaradei has strongly denied reports that the agency had concluded Iran had developed technology needed to assemble a nuclear warhead,<ref>{{cite news|last=Heinrich |first=Mark |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5AO3DJ20091125?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title='&#39;Reuters'&#39;: Exclusive: ElBaradei says West won't meet Iran atom demand |agency=Reuters |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=25 November 2009}}</ref> when a November 2009 article in [[The Guardian]] said the allegations included Iran's weapon design activities using [[Nuclear weapon design#Fusion-boosted fission weapons|two point]] implosion designs.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/05/iran-tested-nuclear-warhead-design Iran tested advanced nuclear warhead design – secret report], Julian Borger, guardian.co.uk, 5 November 2009</ref> The ''New York Times'' article cited classified US intelligence reports asserting that Professor [[Mohsen Fakhrizadeh]] is in charge of the projects, while Iranian officials assert these projects are a fiction made up by the United States.<ref name="nyt20080111"/> The article further reported that "while the international agency readily concedes that the evidence about the two projects remains murky, one of the documents it briefly displayed at a meeting of the agency's member countries in Vienna last year, from Mr. Fakrizadeh's projects, showed the chronology of a missile launching, ending with a warhead exploding about 650 yards above ground – approximately the altitude from which the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was detonated."<ref name="nyt20080111"/> Gordon Oehler, who ran the CIA's nonproliferation center and served as deputy director of the presidential commission on weapons of mass destruction, wrote "if someone has a good idea for a missile program, and he has really good connections, he'll get that program through.. But that doesn't mean there is a master plan for a nuclear weapon."<ref name=ACW_ID>{{cite web |url=http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/858/sanger-hypes-the-laptop |title=Iran Dope Arms Control Wonk: Concerns RV Not Warhead |publisher=Armscontrolwonk.com |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Outside experts note that the parts of the report made public lack many dates associated with Iran's alleged activities meaning it is possible Iran had a Project 110 at one time, but scrapped it as US intelligence insists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1017/p19s01-usfp.html |title=''Christian Science Monitor'': Iran's nuclear disclosures: why they matter |author=Peter Grier|date=17 October 2009|work=The Christian Science Monitor|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> The ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported that "nowhere are there construction orders, payment invoices, or more than a handful of names and locations possibly connected to the projects."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/07/AR2006020702126_3.html |title='&#39;Washington Post'&#39;: Strong Leads and Dead Ends in Nuclear Case Against Iran |work=The Washington Post |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Dafna |last=Linzer |date=8 February 2006}}</ref> Former IAEA Director ElBaradei said the Agency didn't have any information that nuclear material has been used and didn't have any information that any components of nuclear weapons had been manufactured.<ref name=AEOI_PC>[http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Transcripts/2009/transcript051009.pdf ''International Atomic Energy Agency'': Transcript of the IAEA Director General's Remarks at the Joint Press Conference with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, 4 October 2009] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Iran has asserted that the documents are a fabrication, while the IAEA has urged Iran to be more cooperative and Member States to provide more information about the allegations to be shared with Iran.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2009/gov2009-55.pdf |title=Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> In August 2009 an article in the Israeli newspaper [[Haaretz]] alleged that ElBaradei had "censored" evidence obtained by IAEA inspectors over the preceding few months.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ravid |first=Barak |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1108564.html |title=Sources: UN watchdog hiding evidence on Iran nuclear program – Haaretz Daily Newspaper &#124; Israel News |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |date=9 March 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> ElBaradei has angrily rejected claims from Israel, France and the US that he had suppressed the internal IAEA report, saying all relevant and confirmed information had been presented to member states.<ref name=GuaNoEv /> ElBaradei said he and the Agency have repeatedly said the rumors of censorship were "totally baseless, totally groundless. All information that we have received that has been vetted, assessed in accordance with our standard practices, has been shared with the Board."<ref name=AEOI_PC /> On 16 November 2009 the Director General provided a report to the Board of Governors. The report stated "there remain a number of outstanding issues which give rise to concerns, and which need to be clarified to exclude the existence of possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme." "The Agency is still awaiting a reply from Iran to its request to meet relevant Iranian authorities in connection with these issues", the report said. The report further said, "it would be helpful if Member States which have provided documentation to the Agency would agree to share more of that documentation with Iran, as appropriate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/IAEA_Report_Iran_16November2009pdf_1.pdf |title=International Atomic Energy Agency: Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = .U.N. Nuclear Agency Calls Iran Inquiry 'Dead End' |work=The New York Times | date = 26 November 2009 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/world/middleeast/27nuke.html | accessdate =26 November 2009 | first1=David E. | last1=Sanger | first2=William J. | last2=Broad}}</ref> Russia has denied allegations of "continued Russian assistance to Iran's nuclear weapons program" as "totally groundless" and said the November 2009 IAEA report reaffirmed the absence of a military component in Iran's efforts in the nuclear field.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ln.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/e78a48070f128a7b43256999005bcbb3/6aeef5a2254d4464c325767a0042ab56?OpenDocument |title=MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Russian MFA Information and Press Department Comment on the Recent Washington Times Article of Henry Sokolski, a Member of the US Congress Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism, About Russian Assistance to Iran's Military Nuclear Program |publisher=Ln.mid.ru |date=24 November 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614171701/http://www.ln.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/e78a48070f128a7b43256999005bcbb3/6aeef5a2254d4464c325767a0042ab56?OpenDocument |archivedate=14 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In December 2009, ''[[The Times]]'' claimed that a document from an unnamed Asian intelligence agency described the use of a neutron source which has no use other than in a nuclear weapon, and claimed the document appeared to be from an office in Iran's Defense Ministry and may have been from around 2007.<ref>{{cite news|author=Philippe Naughton Updated 4 minutes ago |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6955351.ece |title='&#39;The Times'&#39;: Secret document exposes Iran's nuclear trigger |work=The Times |location=UK |date=21 May 2011 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121538870 |title=''National Public Radio'': Document Sparks New Concerns About A Nuclear Iran |publisher=Npr.org |date=17 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Norman Dombey, professor emeritus of theoretical physics at [[Sussex University]], wrote in that "nothing in the published 'intelligence documents' shows Iran is close to having nuclear weapons" and argued that it is "unlikely that nuclear weapon projects would be distributed among several universities, or weapon parts marketed to research centres."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/dec/22/no-iran-nuclear-bomb-trigger |title='&#39;The Guardian'&#39;: This is no smoking gun, nor Iranian bomb |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=4 April 2011 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Norman |last=Dombey}}</ref> A senior U.N. official who saw the document said it may or may not be authentic, that it was unclear when the document was written, and that it was unclear whether any experiments had ever actually been performed.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/12/16/general-us-us-iran_7218153.html ''Forbes'': US sees Iran edging closer to nuclear arms knowhow] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The C.I.A. did not declare whether it believes the document was real, and European spy agencies also did not give any authentication to the document.<ref name=NYTPuzzled /> Western intelligence agencies said that, if genuine, it was unclear whether the paper provided any new insights into the state of Iranian weapons research.<ref name=NYTPuzzled /> "It's very troubling – if real," said Thomas B. Cochran, a senior scientist in the nuclear program of the [[Natural Resources Defense Council]].<ref name=NYTPuzzled /> The Institute for Science and International Security, said that it "urges caution and further assessment" of the document and noted that "the document does not mention nuclear weapons .. and we have seen no evidence of an Iranian decision to build them."<ref name=NYTPuzzled>{{cite news|last=Broad |first=William J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/world/middleeast/16nuke.html?_r=1&hp |title='&#39;New York Times'&#39;: Spy Agencies Are Puzzled by Nuclear Memo in Persian |location=Iran |work=The New York Times |date=15 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Anton Khlopkov, the founding director of the Center for Energy and Security Studies, said the media leak may be being used "as a pretext for inciting the campaign against Iran."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/papers/20091215/157244170.html |title=Russian Information Agency Novosti: West finds new pretext for toughening sanctions against Iran |publisher=En.rian.ru |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Former Russian Prime Minister [[Yevgeny Primakov]] has also said after the public publications of the documents "Russia has no concrete information that Iran is planning to construct a weapon".<ref name=Russ09>{{cite web |last=Keinon |first=Herb |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1261364500279&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=''Jerusalem Post'': No proof Iran nuke program is military |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date=25 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Russia's representative to the IAEA, Alexander Zmeyevskiy, has noted that though the IAEA is in possession of these documents, the IAEA's findings "do not contain any conclusions about the presence of undeclared nuclear activities in Iran."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.trend.az/news/politics/foreign/1607980.html |title=Secret documents on Iran must be verified: Russia's representative to IAEA – Trend |publisher=En.trend.az |date=25 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran pointed out the claims had not been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency and argued that "some countries are angry that our people defend their nuclear rights."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=209994 |title=''Tehran Times'': Tehran dismisses report on nuclear program as psyops |publisher=Tehrantimes.com |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> "I think that some of the claims about our nuclear issue have turned into a repetitive and tasteless joke," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in response to the documents.<ref>{{cite web|last=Siegel |first=Joel |url=http://abcnews.go.com/WN/diane-sawyers-exclusive-interview-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/story?id=9383487 |title=''ABC News'': Ahmadinejad Tells Diane Sawyer Document Detailing Nuke Bomb Plans Is Fake |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=20 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> ===Iranian stance=== {{Main|Nuclear program of Iran#The Iranian viewpoint}} Iran states that the purpose of its nuclear program is the generation of power and that any other use would be a violation of the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]], of which it is a signatory, as well as being against Islamic religious principles. Iran claims that nuclear power is necessary for a booming population and rapidly industrialising nation. It points to the fact that Iran's population has more than doubled in 20 years, the country regularly imports gasoline and electricity, and that burning fossil fuel in large amounts harms Iran's environment drastically. Additionally, Iran questions why it shouldn't be allowed to diversify its sources of energy, especially when there are fears of its oil fields eventually being depleted. It continues to argue that its valuable oil should be used for high value products and export, not simple electricity generation. Furthermore, Iran argues that nuclear power makes fairly good economic sense. Building reactors is expensive, but subsequent operating costs are low and stable, and increasingly competitive as fossil-fuel prices rise.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_SJSTTNV&CFID=95062603&CFTOKEN=c91bea-f43e23b8-577e-4e51-80d2-e8f667401fe4 |title=Egypt & Nuclear Power |work=The Economist |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=28 September 2006}}</ref> Iran also raises funding questions, claiming that developing the excess capacity in its oil industry would cost it $40 billion, not to speak of paying for the power plants. Harnessing nuclear power costs a fraction of this, considering Iran has abundant supplies of accessible [[uranium]] ore.<ref>[http://www.aeoi.org.ir/newweb/Fuel/Saghand/Saghand.htm Saghand Mining Department Website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505060111/http://www.aeoi.org.ir/newweb/Fuel/Saghand/Saghand.htm |date=5 May 2006 }}</ref> These claims have been echoed by [[Scott Ritter]], the former UN weapons inspector in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regime change is the reason, disarmament the excuse: An interview with Scott Ritter |first=Scott |last=Horton |work=Antiwar.com |date=28 February 2007 |url=http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/1493 }}</ref> Roger Stern, of Johns Hopkins Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, agrees "Iran's claims to need nuclear power could be genuine".<ref>{{cite journal |first=Roger |last=Stern |title=The Iranian petroleum crisis and United States national security |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|PNAS]] |volume=104 |issue=1 |year=2007 |pages=377–382 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0603903104 |pmid=17190820 |pmc=1749323 }}</ref> Iran states it has a legal right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty|NPT]], and further says that it "has constantly complied with its obligations under the NPT and the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency".<ref name=InfCirc724>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc724.pdf |title=IAEA Information Circular 724 (March 2008): Communication from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Agency |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911030304/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc724.pdf |archivedate=11 September 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Twelve other countries are known to operate [[Enriched uranium#Global enrichment facilities|uranium enrichment facilities]]. Iran states that "the failure of certain Nuclear- Weapon States to fulfill their international obligations continue to be a source of threat for the international community".<ref name=IranDAConf /> Iran also states that "the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons still maintains a sizable arsenal of thousands of nuclear warheads" and calls for a stop to the transfer of technology to non-NPT states.<ref name=IranDAConf>{{cite web|url=http://missions.itu.int/~missiran/sts2007/07031301CD.htm |title=Statement by H.E. Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, before The Conference on Disarmament (March 2007) |publisher=Missions.itu.int |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320101046/http://missions.itu.int/~missiran/sts2007/07031301CD.htm |archivedate=20 March 2012 }}</ref> Iran has called for the development of a follow-up committee to ensure compliance with global nuclear disarmanent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc729.pdf |title=IAEA Information Circular 729 (June 2008): Communication from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Agency |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626105757/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc729.pdf |archivedate=26 June 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Iran and many other nations without nuclear weapons have said that the present situation whereby Nuclear Weapon States monopolise the right to possess nuclear weapons is "highly discriminatory", and they have pushed for steps to accelerate the process of nuclear disarmament.<ref name="autogenerated1998">{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/nuke/control/nwc/news/980905-nam.htm |title=Final document of the 12th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Durban, South Africa, 2–3 September 1998 |publisher=Fas.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran has criticized the European Union because it believes it has taken no steps to reduce the danger of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.<ref name=IranDAConf /> Iran has called on the state of Israel to sign the NPT, accept inspection of its nuclear facilities, and place its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.<ref name=IranDAConf /> Iran has proposed that the Middle East be established as a proposed Nuclear Weapon Free Zone.<ref name=IranDAConf /> On 3 December 2004, Iran's former president and an Islamic cleric, [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]] alluded to Iran's position on nuclear energy: <blockquote>God willing, we expect to soon join the club of the countries that have a nuclear industry, with all its branches, except the military one, in which we are not interested. We want to get what we're entitled to. I say unequivocally that for no price will we be willing to relinquish our legal and international right. I also say unequivocally to those who make false claims: Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, but it will not give up its rights. Your provocation will not make us pursue nuclear weapons. We hope that you come to your senses soon and do not get the world involved in disputes and crises.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rafsanjani in Friday Sermon at Tehran University: We Will Soon Join The Nuclear Club - For Peaceful Purposes |url=http://memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=399 |archivedate=14 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614064613/http://memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=399 }}</ref></blockquote> On 14 November 2004, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator said that his country agreed to voluntarily and temporarily suspend the uranium enrichment program after pressure from the [[European Union]] on behalf of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, as a confidence-building measure for a reasonable period of time, with six months mentioned as a reference. Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] has publicly stated Iran is not developing nuclear weapons. On 9 August 2005 Iran's Supreme Leader, [[Ayatollah]] [[Ali Khamenei]], issued a [[fatwa]] that the production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons are forbidden under Islam and that Iran shall never acquire these weapons. The text of the fatwa has not been released although it was referenced in an official statement at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.<ref name="fatwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2347/html/index.htm|publisher=Iran Daily|date=11 August 2005|title=Leader's Fatwa Forbids Nukes|accessdate=23 May 2006 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060322134428/http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2347/html/index.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 22 March 2006}}</ref> [[President of Iran|Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] in a 2005 speech to the [[United Nations General Assembly|U.N. General Assembly]] said "We are concerned that once certain powerful states completely control nuclear energy resources and technology, they will deny access to other states and thus deepen the divide between powerful countries and the rest of the international community ... peaceful use of nuclear energy without possession of a nuclear fuel cycle is an empty proposition".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4257278.stm |title=UK &#124; UK Politics &#124; Iranian president's UN speech |publisher=BBC News |date=18 September 2005 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> On 6 August 2005, Iran rejected a 34-page European Union proposal intended to help Iran build "a safe, economically viable and proliferation-proof civil nuclear power generation and research program." The Europeans, with US agreement, intended to entice Iran into a binding commitment not to develop uranium enrichment capability by offering to provide fuel and other long-term support that would facilitate electricity generation with nuclear energy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi rejected the proposal saying, "We had already announced that any plan has to recognize Iran's right to enrich uranium".<ref name="aljazeera9356">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=9356 |title=Iran rejects "unacceptable" EU nuclear proposals |accessdate=19 May 2006 |publisher=Al Jazeera Magazine Online Edition |year=2005 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050814075117/http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=9356 |archivedate=14 August 2005 }}</ref> After the Iranian Revolution, Germany halted construction of the Bushehr reactor, the United States cut off supply of highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor, and Iran never received uranium from France which it asserted it was entitled to. Russia agreed not to provide an enrichment plant and terminated cooperation on several other nuclear-related technologies, including laser isotope separation; China terminated several nuclear projects (in return, in part for entry into force of a U.S.-China civil nuclear cooperation agreement); and Ukraine agreed not to provide the turbine for Bushehr. Iran argues that these experiences contribute to a perception that foreign nuclear supplies are potentially subject to being interrupted.<ref>"Internationalization of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Goals, Strategies, and Challenges (2009)." [http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12477/png/37.png (page 37)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607115805/http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12477/png/37.png |date=7 June 2011 }}, [http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12477/png/38.png (page 38)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607115920/http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12477/png/38.png |date=7 June 2011 }}. Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board (NRSB)</ref> Iran resumed its [[enriched uranium|uranium enrichment]] program in January 2006, prompting the IAEA to refer the issue to the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]]. On 21 February 2006, [[Rooz]], a news website run by Iranian exiles (the Fedayeen Khalq [People's Commandos] leftist terrorist group),<ref>{{cite web |title=Terrorist Organization Profile: Fedayeen Khalq (People's Commandos) |work=National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism |url=http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4018 |archivedate=23 June 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623024958/http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4018 }}</ref> reported that Hojatoleslam Mohsen Gharavian, a student of Qom's fundamentalist cleric [[Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi|Mesbah Yazdi]], spoke about the necessity of using nuclear weapons as a means to retaliate and announced that "based on religious law, everything depends on our purpose".<ref name="rooz21feb06">{{cite web|url=http://roozonline.com/11english/014154.shtml |title=Iranian Cleric Okays Use of Nuclear Weapons! |accessdate=29 September 2006 |publisher=Rooz |year=2006 |author=Shahram Rafizadeh |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326000802/http://roozonline.com/11english/014154.shtml |archivedate=26 March 2006 }}</ref> In an interview with the [[Islamic Republic News Agency]] the same day, Gharavian rejected these reports, saying "We do not seek nuclear weapons and the Islamic religion encourages coexistence along with peace and friendship...these websites have tried to misquote me."<ref name="IRNA21feb06">{{cite web|url=http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10676|title=Islam forbids use of nuclear weapons: Theological scholar|accessdate=29 September 2006|publisher=The Muslim News|year=2006|author=IRNA|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927000533/http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=10676|archivedate=27 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 11 April 2006, Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] announced Iranian scientists working at the pilot facility at [[Natanz]] had successfully enriched uranium to the 3.5 percent level, using a small cascade of 164 [[gas centrifuge]]s. In the televised address from the city of [[Mashhad]] he said, "I am officially announcing that Iran has joined the group of those countries which have [[nuclear technology]]".<ref name="npr5336802">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5336802|title=Iran Enriches Uranium, Plans New Expansion|accessdate=20 May 2006|publisher=National Public Radio|year=2006|author=Shuster, Mike}}</ref> In May 2006 some members of the Iranian legislature ("[[Majlis]]" or Parliament) sent a letter to UN Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] threatening to withdraw from the NPT if Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear technology under the treaty was not protected.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/05/iran-lawmakers-threaten-withdrawal.php |title=Iran lawmakers threaten withdrawal from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty |publisher=Jurist.law.pitt.edu |date=7 May 2006 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516181159/http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/05/iran-lawmakers-threaten-withdrawal.php |archivedate=16 May 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 21 February 2007, the same day the UN deadline to suspend nuclear activities expired, [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] made the following statement: "If they say that we should close down our fuel production facilities to resume talks, we say fine, but those who enter talks with us should also close down their nuclear fuel production activities". The [[White House]]'s spokesperson [[Tony Snow]] rejected the offer and called it a "false offer".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/02/21/1523228 |title=As Nuclear Deadline Passes, US and Iran Trade Accusations of Bombing Involvement |publisher=Democracy Now! |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114015733/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07%2F02%2F21%2F1523228 |archivedate=14 November 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Iran has said that U.N. Security Council sanctions aimed at curtailing its uranium-enrichment activities unfairly target its medical sector. "We have thousands of patients a month at our hospital alone .. If we can't help them, some will die. It's as simple as that," said an Iranian nuclear medicine specialist. An Iranian Jew from California claimed "I don't believe in these sanctions... They hurt normal people, not leaders. What is the use of that?" Vice President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ghannadi framed the debate as a humanitarian issue, "This is about human beings. . . . When someone is sick, we should give medicine." Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that fuel obtained from Argentina in 1993 would run out by the end of 2010, and that it could produce the uranium itself or buy the uranium from abroad.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/19/AR2009121902171_2.html |title=In Iran, nuclear issue is also a medical one |work=The Washington Post |date=19 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first1=Thomas |last1=Erdbrink |first2=William |last2=Branigin}}</ref> In February 2010, to refuel the [[Nuclear facilities in Iran|Tehran Research Reactor]] which produces [[medical isotopes]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2010/amsp2010n001.html#reactor|title=Introductory Statement to Board of Governors by IAEA Director General – Tehran Research Reactor|author=Yukiya Amano|date=1 March 2010|publisher=IAEA|accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> Iran began using a single cascade to enrich uranium "up to 19.8%",<ref name=IAEA2010-10>[http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2010/gov2010-10.pdf International Atomic Energy Agency: Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203080113/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2010/gov2010-10.pdf |date=3 December 2011 }}. 18 February 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINLDE6182KR20100209 |title='&#39;Reuters'&#39;: China determined to stop Iran getting nukes-UK |publisher=In.reuters.com |date=10 February 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> to match the previously foreign supplied fuel.<ref name="INFCIRC/97/Add.2">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/Others/infcirc97a2.pdf|title=Additional Supply Agreement of 9 December 1988 between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and of Argentina for the Transfer of Enriched Uranium for a Research Reactor in Iran|date=January 1990|publisher=IAEA|id=INFCIRC/97/Add.2|accessdate=11 April 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111022805/http://iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/Others/infcirc97a2.pdf|archivedate=11 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 20% is the upper threshold for [[low enriched uranium]] (LEU).<ref>[http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/csp_004c/PDFfiles/003.pdf International Atomic Energy Agency: Research Reactor Spent Fuel Status]<blockquote>Strictly speaking, fuels enriched to 20% 235U are classified as HEU. Since many facilities with LEU cite a nominal enrichment of 20%, we have modified the definition of LEU to be £ 20% U for the purposes of RRSFDB. Since any fuel with exactly 20% enrichment before irradiation will have <20% enrichment after significant burnup, this does not violate the accepted definition.</blockquote></ref> Though HEU enriched to levels exceeding 20% is considered technically usable in a nuclear explosive device,<ref>[http://www.ornl.gov/sci/radiation_transport_criticality/HopperPubs/DefWeaponsUsableU-233ORNLTM13517.pdf Definition of Weapons-Usable Uranium-233] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115104924/http://www.ornl.gov/sci/radiation_transport_criticality/HopperPubs/DefWeaponsUsableU-233ORNLTM13517.pdf |date=15 January 2010 }}, C.W. Forsberg et al., ORNL/TM-13517, March 1998</ref> this route is much less desirable because far more material is required to achieve a sustained [[nuclear chain reaction]].<ref name="nti.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/e_research/official_docs/norway/HEU_as_Weapons_Material.pdf |title=HEU as weapons material – a technical background |accessdate=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327013221/http://www.nti.org/e_research/official_docs/norway/HEU_as_Weapons_Material.pdf |archivedate=27 March 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> HEU enriched to 90% and above is most typically used in a weapons development program.<ref name=CFR_INP>{{cite web |author=Greg Bruno |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/16811/ |title=Council on Foreign Relations: Iran's Nuclear Program |publisher=Cfr.org |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607145346/http://www.cfr.org/publication/16811/ |archivedate=7 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=AIP_GCWNP>{{cite journal |first=Houston G. |last=Wood |first2=Alexander |last2=Glaser |first3=R. Scott |last3=Kemp |title=The Gas Centrifuge and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation |journal=AIP Conf. Proc. |volume=1596 |issue=210 |year=2014 |pages=40–45 |quote=The most difficult step in building a nuclear weapon is the production of fissile material. |doi=10.1063/1.4876322 |url=https://www.princeton.edu/~rskemp/Kemp%20-%20Gas%20Centrifuge%20and%20Nonproliferation%20-%20SPLG.pdf }}</ref> In an interview in October 2011, President Ahmadinejad of Iran said: <blockquote>"We have already expressed our views about nuclear bombs. We said those who are seeking to build nuclear bombs or those who stockpile, they are politically and mentally retarded. We think they are stupid because the era of nuclear bombs is over. [Why] for example, should Iran continue its efforts and tolerate all international treasures only to build a nuclear bomb, or a few nuclear bombs that are useless? They can never be used!"<ref>{{cite news |work=CNN news |title=Fareed Zakaria interviews Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |date=October 22, 2011 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |url=http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/22/ahmadinejad-on-gadhafi-syria-alleged-plot-nuclear-weapons-and-americas-role/ }}</ref></blockquote> On 22 February 2012, in a meeting in Tehran with the director and officials of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and nuclear scientists, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed [[Ali Khamenei]] said: <blockquote> "The Iranian nation has never pursued and will never pursue nuclear weapons. There is no doubt that the decision makers in the countries opposing us know well that Iran is not after nuclear weapons because the Islamic Republic, logically, religiously and theoretically, considers the possession of nuclear weapons a grave sin and believes the proliferation of such weapons is senseless, destructive and dangerous."<ref>Press TV. Title: Iran will never seek nuclear weapons. Published: Wed Feb 22, 2012. Retrieved: February 24th 2012. {{cite web|url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228014.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225143903/http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228014.html |archivedate=25 February 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref></blockquote> ===U.S. stance=== {{Update|inaccurate=yes|section|date=December 2009}} {{See also|United States and weapons of mass destruction}} *In 2005, the United States stated that Iran has violated both Article III and Article II of the NPT.<ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/vci/rls/rpt/51977.htm#chapter6 Adherence to and Compliance With Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments]</ref> The IAEA Board of Governors, in a rare divided vote, found Iran in noncompliance with its NPT safeguards agreement for a 1985–2003 "policy of concealment"<ref name="IAEA-GOV/2003/75"/> regarding its efforts to develop enrichment and reprocessing technologies.<ref name="IAEAIran2005" /> The United States,<ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/isn/rls/other/83210.htm Promoting Expanded and Responsible Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy]</ref> the IAEA<ref>{{cite web|author=Austria |url=http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2003/ebTE20031016.html |title=Mohamed ElBaradei, "Towards a Safer World" |publisher=Iaea.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> and others<ref>[http://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/PDF/infcirc254r8p1-060320.pdf See paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714182158/http://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/PDF/infcirc254r8p1-060320.pdf |date=14 July 2007 }}</ref> consider these technologies to be of particular concern because they can be used to produce fissile material for use in nuclear weapons. *The United States has argued that Iran's concealment of efforts to develop sensitive nuclear technology is ''prima facie'' evidence of Iran's intention to develop nuclear weapons, or at a minimum to develop a latent nuclear weapons capability. Others have noted that while possession of the technology "contributes to the latency of non-nuclear weapon states in their potential to acquire nuclear weapons" but that such latency is not necessarily evidence of intent to proceed toward the acquisition of nuclear weapons, since "intent is in the eye of the beholder".<ref>{{cite journal | last = Panofsky | first = Wolfgang K. H. | title = Capability versus intent: The latent threat of nuclear proliferation | journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists | date=14 June 2007 | url=https://thebulletin.org/capability-versus-intent-latent-threat-nuclear-proliferation-0 | accessdate =22 March 2018 }}</ref> *The United States has also provided information to the IAEA on Iranian studies related to weapons design, activities, including the intention of diverting a civilian nuclear energy program to the manufacture of weapons, based on a laptop computer reportedly linked to Iranian weapons programs. The United States has pointed to other information reported by the IAEA, including the [[Green Salt Project]], the possession of a document on manufacturing uranium metal hemispheres, and other links between Iran's military and its nuclear program, as further indications of a military intent to Iran's nuclear program.<ref>[http://vienna.usmission.gov/sp_iaea_board.html Statement by Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte, 13 September 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225095143/http://vienna.usmission.gov/sp_iaea_board.html |date=25 December 2008 }}</ref> The IAEA has said U.S. intelligence provided to it through 2007 has proven inaccurate or not led to significant discoveries inside Iran;<ref>{{cite news|author=Bob Drogin, Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/25/MNGGKOAR681.DTL&feed=rss.news |title='&#39;SFGate'&#39;: Most U.S. tips fingering Iran false–envoys |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=25 February 2007 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> however, the US, and others have recently provided more intelligence to the agency.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,345009,00.html |title='&#39;FOXNews'&#39;: Diplomats: China Has Provided IAEA With Intelligence on Iran's Nuke Program |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=20 October 2011}}</ref> *In May 2003, The Swiss ambassador to Iran sent the State Department a two-page document, reportedly approved by Ayatollah Khamanei, outlining a road map towards normalization of relations between the two states. The Iranians offered full transparency of its nuclear programme and withdrawal of support from [[Hamas]] and [[Hezbollah]] in exchange for security assurances and normalization of diplomatic relations. The Bush Administration did not respond to the proposal, as senior U.S. officials doubted its authenticity.<ref>Steve Coll, 'Will Iran Get That Bomb?', review of Parsi in [[New York Review of Books]], 24 May 2012, pp.34-36, p.35.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/showdown/themes/grandbargain.html |title=The "Grand Bargain" Fax: A Missed Opportunity? |publisher=PBS [[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]] |date=23 October 2007 |accessdate=12 March 2012}}</ref> *The United States acknowledges Iran's right to nuclear power, and has joined with the EU-3, Russia and China in offering nuclear and other economic and technological cooperation with Iran if it suspends uranium enrichment. This cooperation would include an assured supply of fuel for Iran's nuclear reactors.<ref>[http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/429/12/PDF/N0642912.pdf?OpenElement Letter dated 13 July 2006 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> *A potential reason behind U.S. resistance to an Iranian nuclear program lies in Middle Eastern geopolitics. In essence, the US feels that it must guard against even the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. Some nuclear technology is [[dual-use technology|dual-use]]; i.e. it can be used for peaceful energy generation, and to develop nuclear weapons, a situation that resulted in India's [[India and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]] in the 1960s. A nuclear-armed Iran would dramatically change the balance of power in the Middle East, weakening US influence. It could also encourage other Middle Eastern nations to develop nuclear weapons of their own further reducing US influence in a critical region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/nuke.htm|title=Nuclear Weapons – Iran|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=5 November 2009}}</ref> *In 2003, the United States insisted that [[Tehran]] be "held accountable" for seeking to build nuclear arms in violation of its agreements.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2003/iran-031118-rferl-190648.htm |title=Iran: U.S., EU Disagree Over Tehran's Nuclear Program Ahead Of IAEA Meeting |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date=18 November 2003 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> In June 2005, the US secretary of state [[Condoleezza Rice]] required former [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]] head [[Mohamed ElBaradei]] to either "toughen his stance on Iran" or fail to be chosen for a third term as IAEA head.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4075496.stm |title=US agrees to back UN nuclear head |publisher=BBC News |date=9 June 2005 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The IAEA has on some occasions criticised the stance of the U.S. on Iran's program.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/14/iran.nukes/index.html |title=IAEA blasts U.S. intelligence report on Iran |publisher=CNN |date=14 September 2006 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The United States denounced Iran's successful enrichment of uranium to fuel grade in April 2006, with spokesman [[Scott McClellan]] saying, they "continue to show that Iran is moving in the wrong direction". In November 2006, Seymour Hersh described a classified draft assessment by the Central Intelligence Agency "challenging the White House's assumptions about how close Iran might be to building a nuclear bomb." He continued, "The CIA found no conclusive evidence, as yet, of a secret Iranian nuclear-weapons program running parallel to the civilian operations that Iran has declared to the International Atomic Energy Agency," adding that a current senior intelligence official confirmed the assessment.<ref>[http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/061127fa_fact Annals of National Security: The Next Act] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127063138/http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/061127fa_fact |date=27 November 2006 }}</ref> On 25 February 2007, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that the [[United States Fifth Fleet]], including the [[Nimitz class aircraft carrier|Nimitz-class]] [[supercarrier]]s [[USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)|Eisenhower]], [[USS Nimitz (CVN-68)|Nimitz]] and [[USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|Stennis]] "prepares to take on [[Iran]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=3HEC3P3EVSP2FQFIQMFCFFOAVCBQYIV0?xml=/news/2007/02/24/wiran24.xml|title=The Daily Telegraph: American armada prepares to take on Iran|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> * In March 2006, it was reported that the [[US State Department]] had opened an [[Office of Iranian Affairs]] (OIA) – overseen by [[Elizabeth Cheney]], the daughter of Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]. The office's mission was reportedly to promote a democratic transition in Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/02/us.iran/index.html?section=cnn_latest |title='&#39;CNN'&#39;: U.S. to sharpen focus on Iran |publisher=CNN |date=2 March 2006 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> and to help "defeat" the Iranian regime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/09/news/foes.php |title=''IHT'': U.S. opens two fronts in an effort to 'defeat' Iran |work=International Herald Tribune |date=9 March 2006 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301061407/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/09/news/foes.php |archivedate=1 March 2007 }}</ref> Iran argued the office was tasked with drawing up plans to overthrow its government. One Iranian reformer said after the office opened that many "partners are simply too afraid to work with us anymore", and that the office had "a chilling effect".<ref>{{cite news|last=Azimi |first=Negar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/magazine/24ngo-t.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast |title='&#39;NYTimes'&#39;: Hard Realities of Soft Power |location=Iran;Washington (DC) |work=The New York Times |date=24 June 2007 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The [[US Congress]] has reportedly appropriated more than $120 million to fund the project.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=611856 |date = 19 November 2008 |title = U.S. planning velvet revolution in Iran? |publisher = Mathaba News Network |accessdate = 19 November 2008 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160213044943/http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=611856 |archivedate = 13 February 2016 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh also revealed in July 2008 Congress also agreed to a $400-million funding request for a major escalation in covert operations inside Iran.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=75784&sectionid=351020101 |title=''PressTV'': US plotting Velvet Revolution in Iran? |publisher=Presstv.ir |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017123333/http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=75784&sectionid=351020101 |archivedate=17 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> * The Bush Administration repeatedly refused to rule out use of nuclear weapons against Iran. The U.S. Nuclear Posture Review made public in 2002 specifically envisioned the use of nuclear weapons on a first strike basis, even against non-nuclear armed states.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/03/23/us-nuclear-arms-stance-modified-by-policy-study/c4a03788-b713-47e7-bf4d-baa8d5c20b95/ |title=U.S. Nuclear Arms Stance Modified by Policy Study |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 March 2002 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh reported in 2006 that the Bush administration had been planning the use of nuclear weapons against Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/10/hersh.access/index.html |title=Hersh: U.S. mulls nuclear option for Iran, CNN Monday, April 10, 2006 |publisher=CNN |date=10 April 2006 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> When specifically questioned about the potential use of nuclear weapons against Iran, President Bush claimed that "All options were on the table." According to the ''[[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]'', "the president of the United States directly threatened Iran with a preemptive nuclear strike. It is hard to read his reply in any other way."<ref>Robert S. Norris and Hans M. Kristensen {{cite journal | title = U.S. nuclear threats: Then and now | volume = 62 | issue = 5 | pages = 69–71 | date = September–October 2006 | doi = 10.2968/062005016 | last1 = Norris | first1 = Robert S. | last2 = Kristensen | first2 = Hans M. | journal = Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists }}</ref> * In September 2007, [[Condoleezza Rice]], [[U.S. Secretary of State]], cautioned the IAEA not to interfere with international diplomacy over Iran's alleged weapons program. She said the IAEA's role should be limited to carrying out inspections and offering a "clear declaration and clear reporting on what the Iranians are doing; whether and when and if they are living up to the agreements they have signed." Former IAEA Director General ElBaradei called for less emphasis on additional UN sanctions and more emphasis on enhanced cooperation between the IAEA and Tehran. Iran has agreed with IAEA requests to answer unresolved questions about its nuclear program. ElBaradei often criticized what he called "war mongering," only to be told by Rice to mind his business.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/19/rice.iran/index.html |title=Rice tells nuke watchdog to butt out of Iran diplomacy |publisher=CNN |date=19 September 2007 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> * In December 2007, the United States [[National Intelligence Estimate]] (which represents the consensus view of all 16 American spy agencies) concluded, with a "high level of confidence", that Iran had halted all of its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains frozen. The new estimate says that the enrichment program could still provide Iran with enough raw material to produce a nuclear weapon sometime by the middle of next decade but that intelligence agencies "do not know whether it currently intends to develop nuclear weapons" at some future date. Senator [[Harry Reid]], the [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|majority leader]], said he hoped the administration would "appropriately adjust its rhetoric and policy".<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated2 /> *On 2 February 2009, the thirtieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iran launched its first domestically produced<ref name=Reuters>{{cite news | title = Iran launches first home-made satellite: state TV | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5120NN20090203 | publisher = Reuters | date = 3 February 2009 | accessdate = 3 February 2009 | author1 = Fredrik Dahl | author2 = Edmund Blair | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090204204419/http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5120NN20090203 | archive-date = 4 February 2009 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}satellite [[Omid]] (meaning "Hope") into space.</ref><ref name="individual.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=77178693 |title=Iran launches first space research center |publisher=individual.com |date=4 February 2008 |accessdate=4 February 2008}} </ref> Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the successful launching of the Omid data-processing satellite as a very big source of pride for Iran and said the project improved Iran's status in the world.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/library/news/2009/space-090203-irna01.htm |title=''IRNA'': Ahmadinejad says Iran proud of its Omid data-processing satellite |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The United States claimed Iran's activities could be linked to the development of a military nuclear capability and that the activities were of "great concern".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7866357.stm |title='&#39;BBC'&#39;: Iran launches homegrown satellite |publisher=BBC News |date=3 February 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The U.S. specifically said it would continue "to address the threats posed by Iran, including those related to its missile and nuclear programs."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/02/115895.htm |title=U.S. Department of State: Iranian Launch of Satellite |publisher=State.gov |date=3 February 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Despite the U.S. saying it would use all elements of its national power to deal with Tehran's actions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/04/content_10763872.htm |title=''Xinhua'': Iran insists its satellite serves no military purpose |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=4 February 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran said the launch was a step to remove the scientific monopoly certain world countries are trying to impose on the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=188596 |title=''Tehran Times'': Iran should turn into model country: Ahmadinejad |publisher=Tehrantimes.com |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafaq al-Rubaie said Iraq was very pleased with the launch of Iran's peaceful data-processing national satellite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=188797 |title=''Tehran Times'': Iraq pleased with Iran's launching of Omid satellite: al-Rubaie |publisher=Tehrantimes.com |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> *In March 2009, Richard N. Haass, President of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]], wrote that U.S. policy must be thoroughly multilateral and suggested recognizing Iranian enrichment while getting Iran to agree to limits on its enrichment. "In return, some of the current sanctions in place would be suspended. In addition, Iran should be offered assured access to adequate supplies of nuclear fuel for the purpose of producing electricity. Normalization of political ties could be part of the equation," Haass said.<ref>[http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2009/HaassTestimony090303a.pdf United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations: Statement of Richard N. Haass (March 2009)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106003329/http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2009/HaassTestimony090303a.pdf |date=6 January 2010 }}</ref> In October 2009, [[Ploughshares Fund]] President Joseph Cirincione outlined "five persistent myths about Iran's nuclear program": that Iran is on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, that a military strike would knock out Iran's program, that "we can cripple Iran with sanctions", that a new government in Iran would abandon the nuclear program, and that Iran is the main nuclear threat in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101503476.html |title=Five Myths About Iran's Nuclear Program |work=The Washington Post |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Joseph |last=Cirincione |date=18 October 2009}}</ref> *In 2009, Independent U.S. Security Consultant [[Linton Brooks|Linton F. Brooks]] wrote that in an ideal future "Iran has abandoned its plans for nuclear weapons due to consistent international pressure under joint U.S.–Russian leadership. Iran has implemented the Additional Protocol and developed commercial nuclear power under strict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards using a fuel leasing approach with fuel supplied by Russia and spent fuel returned to Russia."<ref>[http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12590/png/3.png Future of the Nuclear Security Environment in 2015: Proceedings of a Russian-U.S. Workshop (2009) (page 3)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531191231/http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12590/png/3.png |date=31 May 2010 }}, Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC).</ref> *A 2009 [[Congressional Research Service|U.S. congressional research]] paper says [[United States Intelligence Community|U.S. intelligence]] believes Iran ended "nuclear weapon design and weaponization work" in 2003.<ref name=CRS09 /> The intelligence consensus was affirmed by leaders of the U.S. intelligence community.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} Some advisors within the Obama administration reaffirmed the intelligence conclusions,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/a-major-shift-999 |title=''Dawn'': A major shift |publisher=Dawn.com |accessdate=23 November 2011 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> while other "top advisers" in the Obama administration "say they no longer believe the key finding of the [[Nuclear program of Iran#2007 Iran National Intelligence Estimate|2007 National Intelligence Estimate]]".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/world/middleeast/03iran.html?pagewanted=print U.S. Sees an Opportunity to Press Iran on Nuclear Fuel] By DAVID E. SANGER and WILLIAM J. BROAD, 3 January 2010</ref> [[Thomas Fingar]], former Chairman of the National Intelligence Council until December 2008, said that the original 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran "became contentious, in part, because the White House instructed the Intelligence Community to release an unclassified version of the report's key judgments but declined to take responsibility for ordering its release."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/5859/lecture_text.pdf |title=Thomas Fingar: "Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence and National Security Using Intelligence to Anticipate Opportunities and Shape the Future" |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915004946/http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/5859/lecture_text.pdf |archivedate=15 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> *Lieutenant General Ronald Burgess, the chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said in January 2010 that there is no evidence that Iran has made a decision to build a nuclear weapon and that the key findings of a 2007 National Intelligence Estimate are all still correct.<ref>[http://topics.npr.org/quote/0bHDgsgcS8b1l ''National Public Radio'': Quotes from Payvand News of Iran – News, photos, topics, and quotes] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232726/http://topics.npr.org/quote/0bHDgsgcS8b1l |date=1 February 2014 }}</ref> *On 20 July 2011, [[Frederick Fleitz]], a former CIA analyst and House Intelligence Committee staff member, took issue with a February 2011 revision of the 2007 [[National Intelligence Estimate]] on Iran's nuclear weapons program in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled "[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303661904576453800512114910 America's Intelligence Denial on Iran]." In the op-ed, Fleitz claimed the new estimate had serious problems and underplayed the threat from Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons program much as the 2007 version did. However, Fleitz stated that he was not permitted by CIA censors to discuss his specific concerns about the estimate. Fleitz also claimed the estimate had a four-member outside review board that he viewed as biased since three of the reviewers held the same ideological and political views and two of them were from the same Washington DC think tank. He noted that the CIA prevented him from releasing the names of the outside reviewers of the 2011 Iran estimate. * Several high U.S. military and intelligence officials have stated that the effects of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would not be preventive. Defense Secretary [[Leon E. Panetta]] said in December 2011, and Lt. Gen. [[James R. Clapper]], director of National Intelligence, said in February 2012 that an Israeli attack would only delay Iran's program by one or two years. General [[Michael V. Hayden]], former CIA Director, said in January 2012 that Israel was not able to inflict significant damage on Iran's nuclear sites. He said, "They only have the ability to make this worse."<ref name=LATimes120216>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/16/world/la-fg-iran-israel-bombing-20120217|title=U.S. intelligence chief sees limited benefit in an attack on Iran|work=Los Angeles Times|date=16 February 2012|first1=Ken|last1=Dilanian|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref> In February 2012, Admiral [[William J. Fallon]], who retired in 2008 as head of [[U.S. Central Command]], said, "No one that I'm aware of thinks that there's any real positive outcome of a military strike or some kind of conflict." He advocated negotiating with Iran and deterring Iran from aggressive actions and said, "Let's not precipitate something."<ref name=CSPAN230212>{{cite web |url=http://www.c-spanarchives.org/appearance/601323586 |title=Iran's Nuclear Program and U.S. Policy Options |date=23 February 2012 |accessdate=2 March 2012 |publisher=C-SPAN |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130414142005/http://www.c-spanarchives.org/appearance/601323586 |archivedate=14 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=CSIStranscript>{{cite web |url=http://csis.org/files/attachments/120223_iran_transcript.pdf |title=Iran: U.S. Policy Options |work=Schieffer Series| date=23 February 2012 |accessdate=2 March 2012 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies}}</ref> General [[Martin Dempsey]], Chairman of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], said in August 2012 that a unilateral Israeli attack on Iran would delay but not destroy Iran's nuclear program and that he did not wish to be "complicit" in such an attack. He also stated that sanctions were having an effect and should be given time to work, and that a premature attack might damage the 'international coalition' against Iran.<ref name=JTA0>{{cite web |url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/08/31/3105636/us-general-dempsey-dont-wish-to-be-complicit-in-israeli-strike |title=U.S. Gen. Dempsey: 'I don't wish to be complicit in Israeli strike' |date=31 August 2012 |accessdate=31 August 2012 |work=www.jta.org |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902075532/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/08/31/3105636/us-general-dempsey-dont-wish-to-be-complicit-in-israeli-strike |archivedate=2 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Former Defense Secretary and former CIA Director [[Robert Gates]] stated in October 2012 that sanctions were beginning to have an effect and that "the results of an American or Israeli military strike on Iran could, in my view, prove catastrophic, haunting us for generations in that part of the world."<ref name=VApilot0>{{cite web |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/exdefense-chief-says-hit-iran-would-be-disastrous |title=Ex-defense chief says hit on Iran would be disastrous |date=4 October 2012 |accessdate=5 October 2012 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |last=Sizemore |first=Bill}}</ref> *In 2011, the senior officers of all of the major American intelligence agencies stated that there was no conclusive evidence that Iran has made any attempt to produce nuclear weapons since 2003.<ref name=LATimesFeb2013/> *In January 2012, U.S. [[Defense Secretary]] [[Leon Panetta]] stated that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, but was not attempting to produce nuclear weapons.<ref name=autogenerated4 /> *In 2012, sixteen United States intelligence agencies, including the [[CIA]], reported that Iran was pursuing research that could enable it to produce nuclear weapons, but was not attempting to do so.<ref name=LATimesFeb2013 /> ===Other international responses=== ====United Nations==== In 2009, the United Nations built a seismic monitoring station in Turkmenistan near its border with Iran, to detect tremors from nuclear explosions.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} The UN Security Council has demanded Iran freeze all forms of uranium enrichment.<ref name="UNSEC Res" /> Iran has argued these demands unfairly compel it to abandon its rights under the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty to peaceful nuclear technology for civilian energy purposes.<ref name="UNNews2"/> On 29 December 2009, Zongo Saidou, a sanctions advisor for the U.N., said that as far as he knew, none of the U.N.'s member nations had alerted the sanctions committee about allegations of sales of uranium to Iran from Kazakhstan. "We don't have any official information yet regarding this kind of exchange between the two countries," Saidou said. "I don't have any information; I don't have any proof," Saidou said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34622227 |title=''MSNBC'': Report: Iran seeking to smuggle raw uranium |publisher=NBC News |date=29 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> An intelligence report from an unknown country alleged that rogue employees of Kazakhstan were prepared to sell Iran 1,350 tons of purified uranium ore in violation of UN Security Council sanctions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Associated |first=The |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1138508.html |title=Report: Iran seeking to smuggle purified uranium |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Russia said it had no knowledge of an alleged Iranian plan to import purified uranium ore from Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan denied the reports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/01/content_12737366.htm |title=''Xinhua'': Russia denies knowledge of Iranian uranium deal with Kazakhstan |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=1 January 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> "Such fabrications of news are part of the psychological warfare (against Iran) to serve the political interests of the hegemonic powers," Iran said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/30/content_12731748.htm |title=''Xinhua'': IAEA receives report on Iranian plans of importing purified uranium |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=30 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Askar Abdrahmanov, the official representative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, said "the references to the anonymous sources and unknown documents show groundlessness of these insinuations."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=141738|title=Kazakhstan Today: IAEA did not receive information of uranium deliveries by Kazakhstan to Iran|publisher=|accessdate=24 October 2014}}</ref> ====China==== {{See also|People's Republic of China and weapons of mass destruction}} The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Foreign Ministry]] supports the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy and negotiations. In May 2006 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao stated "As a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran enjoys the right to peaceful use of nuclear power, but it should also fulfil its corresponding responsibility and commitment". He added "It is urgently needed that Iran should fully cooperate with the IAEA and regain the confidence of the international community in its nuclear program".<ref name=eng20060531_269921>{{cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200605/31/eng20060531_269921.html|title=Arab League chief calls for nuclear-free Middle East|publisher=People's Daily Online|date=31 May 2006}}</ref> In April 2008, several news agencies reported that China had supplied the IAEA with intelligence on Iran's nuclear program following a report by [[Associated Press]] reporter George Jahn based on anonymous diplomatic sources.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson [[Jiang Yu]] described these reports as "completely groundless and out of ulterior motives".<ref name=t421013>{{cite news |url=http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/s2510/t421013.htm |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu's Remarks on Reports of China Providing Information to IAEA on Iran's Nuclear Programs |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China |date=3 April 2008}}</ref> In January 2010, China reiterated its calls for diplomatic efforts on the Iran nuclear issue over sanctions. "Dialogue and negotiations are the right ways of properly solving the Iran nuclear issue, and there is still room for diplomatic efforts," said Chinese spokesperson Jiang Yu. "We hope the relevant parties take more flexible and pragmatic measures and step up diplomatic efforts in a bid to resume talks as soon as possible," said Jiang.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/05/content_12759244.htm |title=''Xinhua'': China calls for diplomacy as U.S. weighs sanctions on Iran |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=5 January 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> In September 2011 Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported several statements about Iran's nuclear program and China's foreign policy in the Middle East, made by independent Chinese expert on the Middle East who recently visited Israel at the invitation of "Signal", an organization that furthers academic ties between Israel and China. Yin Gang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has expressed his opinion on China policies toward region, and according to Haaretz ''he made surprising statement'': "China is opposed to any military action against Iran that would damage regional stability and interfere with the flow of oil. But China will not stop Israel if it decides to attack Iran. For all these reasons, Israel and the Middle East need a country like China. Israel needs China's power."<ref>Melman, Yossi. [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/china-will-not-stop-israel-if-it-decides-to-attack-iran-1.385950 "'China will not stop Israel if it decides to attack Iran'."] ''Haaretz Newspaper'', 22 September 2011.</ref> In March 2012, Chinese Foreign Minister [[Yang Jiechi]] said that "China is opposed to any country in the Middle East, including Iran, developing and possessing nuclear weapons.", adding that Iran nonetheless has the right to pursue nuclear activities for peaceful purposes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/06/us-china-iran-nuclear-idUSTRE82505Y20120306|title=China warns Iran again on nuclear aims|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=5 March 2012|accessdate=10 March 2012}}</ref> ====France==== {{See also|France and weapons of mass destruction}} On 16 February 2006 French Foreign Minister [[Philippe Douste-Blazy]] said "No civilian nuclear programme can explain the Iranian nuclear programme. It is a clandestine military nuclear programme."<ref name="cnn160206">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/16/iran.france/index.html|title=France: Iran program 'military'|accessdate=23 May 2006|publisher=CNN|year=2006}}</ref> In January 2007, former French President [[Jacques Chirac]], speaking "off the record" to reporters from [[The New York Times]], indicated that if Iran possessed a nuclear weapon, the weapon could not be used. Chirac alluded to [[mutually assured destruction]] when he stated:<ref name="nyt010207">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/world/europe/01france.html?ex=1327986000&en=2a79cb363a6d7afd&ei=5088?ner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=Chirac Strays From Assailing a Nuclear Iran|accessdate=1 June 2007|work=New York Times| first1=Elaine | last1=Sciolino | first2=Katrin | last2=Bennhold | date=1 February 2007}}</ref> <blockquote>"Where will it drop it, this bomb? On Israel? It would not have gone 200 meters into the atmosphere before Tehran would be razed."</blockquote> ====Russia==== {{See also|Russia and weapons of mass destruction}} In 2005, Russian Advisor to Minister of Atomic Energy Lev Ryabev asserted that "neither the signing by Iran of the NPT, the adoption of the Additional Protocol (which provides for the right of inspection of any facility at any time with no prior notice), placement of nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, nor Russia's and Iran's commitments to repatriate spent nuclear fuel to Russia is seen as a good enough argument by the United States." Ryabev argued that "at the same time, such requirements are not imposed on, for example, Brazil, which has been developing its nuclear power industry and nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium enrichment."<ref>[http://books.nap.edu/openbook/0309096693/gifmid/57.gif Strengthening U.S-Russian Cooperation on Nuclear Nonproliferation (2005) Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC) (page 57)]. The National Academies Press.</ref> On 5 December 2007 Russian Foreign Minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] said he had seen no evidence of any nuclear weapons program in Iran, no matter how old.<ref name=times-20071205>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3004070.ece|title=Ahmadinejad declares victory in nuclear dispute|work=The Times |location=London |date=5 December 2007|accessdate=5 December 2007 | first1=Nico | last1=Hines | first2=Tom | last2=Baldwin}}</ref> On 16 October 2007 [[Vladimir Putin]] visited [[Tehran]], Iran to participate in the Second Caspian Summit, where he met with Iranian leader [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]].<ref>[http://president.kremlin.ru/text/news/2007/10/148432.shtml Putin Positive on Second Caspian Summit Results, Meets With Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504052206/http://president.kremlin.ru/text/news/2007/10/148432.shtml |date= 4 May 2008 }}, 16 October 2007, Kremlin.ru</ref> At a press conference after the summit Putin said that "Iran has the right to develop their peaceful nuclear programs without any restrictions".<ref>[http://president.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2007/10/16/2020_type82914type82915_148460.shtml Answer to a Question at the Joint Press Conference Following the Second Caspian Summit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504052153/http://president.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2007/10/16/2020_type82914type82915_148460.shtml |date= 4 May 2008 }}, 16 October 2007, Tehran, Kremlin.ru</ref> In 2009, Russian Major-General Pavel S. Zolotarev argued Iran's security could be partially be assured by supplying Iran with modern missile and air defense systems and offering for Iran to take part in the work of one of the data exchange centers in exchange for "concrete non-proliferation obligations".<ref>Future of the Nuclear Security Environment in 2015: Proceedings of a Russian-U.S. Workshop (2009). {{cite web|url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12590/png/235.png |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-11-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607120256/http://books.nap.edu/openbook/12590/png/235.png |archivedate=7 June 2011 |df=dmy }} (Page 235) Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC)</ref> In May 2009, the [[EastWest Institute]] released a joint U.S.-Russian Threat Assessment on Iran's Nuclear and Missile Potential. The report concluded that there was "no IRBM/ICBM threat from Iran and that such a threat, even if it were to emerge, is not imminent." The report said there was no specific evidence that Iran was seeking the ability to attack Europe and that "it is indeed difficult to imagine the circumstances in which Iran would do so." The report said if Iran did pursue this capability, it would need six to eight years to develop a missile capable of carrying a 1,000 kilogram warhead 2,000 kilometers. The report said Iran ending "IAEA containment and surveillance of the nuclear material and all installed cascades at the Fuel Enrichment Plan" might serve as an early warning of Iranian intentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ploughshares.org/sites/default/files/resources/20090516_ewi_iransnucleamissilepotential.pdf |title=East-West Institute: Iran's Nuclear and Missile Potential |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> In December 2009, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the Iran nuclear issue would be resolved by diplomatic methods exclusively. "It is absolutely clear that the problem can be settled exclusively by political and diplomatic methods and any other scenarios, especially use-of-force scenarios, are completely unacceptable," Lavrov said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091222/157322284.html |title=''RIA Novosti'': Russia's Lavrov urges diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=22 December 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Yevgeny Primakov, a former Russian prime minister considered the doyen of Moscow's Middle East experts, said he did "not believe that Iran had made a decision to acquire nuclear weapons. Russia has no concrete information that Iran is planning to construct a weapon. It may be more like Japan, which has nuclear readiness but does not have a bomb," Primakov said.<ref name=Russ09 /> In February 2012, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that Russia opposes Iran developing nuclear-weapons capability. "Russia is not interested in Iran becoming a nuclear power. It would lead to greater risks to international stability.", Putin said.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/putin-nuclear-iran-would-risk-global-stability.html|title=Putin Says Iran Developing Nuclear Capability Would Risk Global Stability|publisher=Bloomberg|date=24 February 2012|accessdate=10 March 2012}}</ref> ====United Kingdom==== {{See also|United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction}} The United Kingdom is part of the EU3+3 (UK, France, Germany, US, China and Russia) group of countries that are engaged in ongoing discussions with Iran.<ref> {{cite web |url = http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=News&id=3632051 |title = Foreign Secretary and Condoleezza Rice joint statement (23/05/2008) |accessdate = 14 June 2008 |date = 23 May 2008 |publisher = [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081019184544/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=News&id=3632051 |archivedate = 19 October 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The UK is therefore one of the countries that has stated that Iran would be provided with enriched fuel and support to develop a modern nuclear power program if it, in the words of the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Foreign Office]] spokesperson "''suspends all enrichment related activities, answer all the outstanding issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme and implement the additional protocol agreed with the IAEA''".<ref> {{cite web |url = http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=News&id=3104489 |title = Iranian expansion of its enrichment program (08/04/2008) |accessdate = 14 June 2008 |date = 8 April 2008 |publisher = [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418050024/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=News&id=3104489 |archivedate = 18 April 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The UK (with China, France, Germany and Russia) put forward the three Security Council resolutions that have been passed in the UN. On 8 May 2006, Former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of British Land Forces, General Sir Hugh Beach, former Cabinet Ministers, scientists and campaigners joined a delegation to Downing Street opposing military intervention in Iran. The delegation delivered two letters to Prime Minister Tony Blair from 1,800 physicists warning that the military intervention and the use of nuclear weapons would have disastrous consequences for the security of Britain and the rest of world. The letters carried the signatures of academics, politicians and scientists including some of 5 physicists who are Nobel Laureates. [http://www.payvand.com/news/06/may/1113.html CASMII delegation] ====Israel==== {{See also|Israel and weapons of mass destruction}} Israel, which is not a party to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] and which is widely believed to possess [[nuclear weapon]]s,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=30 May 2007|title=Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance|publisher=Arms Control Association|url=http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat.asp}}</ref> has frequently claimed that Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapons program.<ref>[https://conf.haaretz.co.il/hasen/pages/ShArtStEng.jhtml?itemNo=935807&contrassID=25&subContrassID=0&title='Rabin's%20long%20memory%20and%20the%20NIE%20report%20on%20Iran'&dyn_server=172.20.5.5 ''Haaretz'': Rabin's long memory and the NIE report on Iran ]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Arguing an "existential threat from Iran", Israel has issued several veiled and explicit threats to attack Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133899,00.html |title=Israel Threatens Iran Over Nuclear Program – U.S. & World |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=21 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fendel |first=Hillel |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/94212 |title=Israel Threatens Iran – Defense/Middle East – Israel News – Arutz Sheva |publisher=Israelnationalnews.com |date=5 December 2005 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/06/israel.iran/index.html |title=Israeli politician threatens Iran with attack over nukes |publisher=CNN |date=6 June 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> [[Mike Mullen]], former chairman of the U.S. [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], has cautioned that an Israeli air attack on Iran would be high-risk and warned against Israel striking Iran.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-iran-us_madhani_03jul03,0,3842583.story |title='&#39;Chicago Tribune'&#39;: Military chief warns against striking Iran |work=Chicago Tribune |date=19 October 2011 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908030750/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-iran-us_madhani_03jul03,0,3842583.story |archive-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[George Friedman]], head of the global intelligence company [[Stratfor]], has said Iran is "decades away" from developing any credible nuclear-arms capacity and that an attack on Iran would have grave repercussions for the global economy.<ref name="online.barrons.com"/> If Iran ever did develop nuclear weapons, Israeli academic [[Avner Cohen]] has observed "that the prospect of a deliberate Iranian first nuclear strike on Israel, an out-of the-blue scenario, is virtually nonexistent... [T]he chances of Iran – or for that matter any other nuclear power – unleashing a nuclear strike against Israel, which has nuclear capabilities itself, strike me as close to zero."<ref name="Hatz_05Jun2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/avner-cohen-1.189374 |title=Q&A: Avner Cohen |author=Shmuel Rosner |authorlink=Shmuel Rosner |date=5 June 2006 |newspaper=Ha'aretz |accessdate=17 February 2012}}</ref> Walter Pincus of the ''Washington Post'' has written that Israel's stance on nuclear arms complicates efforts against Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/03/AR2010050304341.html |title='&#39;Washington Post'&#39;: Israel's stance on nuclear arms complicates efforts against Iran |work=The Washington Post |date=4 May 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |first=Walter |last=Pincus}}</ref> [[Gawdat Bahgat]] of the [[National Defense University]] believes Iran's nuclear program is partially formed on the potential threat of a nuclear Israel.<ref name="Gawdat Bahgat"/> Iran and the [[Arab League]] have proposed that the Middle East be established as a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone.<ref name=IranDAConf /><ref name=eng20060531_269921 /> Israel said in May 2010 it would not consider taking part in nuclear weapon-free zone discussions or joining the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100510_5990.php |title=Nuclear Threat Initiative: Israel Will Not Change Nuclear Policy, Official Says |publisher=Gsn.nti.org |date=10 May 2010 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The UN Security Council has also pushed for a nuclear-weapon free zone in the Middle East, and has urged all countries to sign and adhere the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yaari |first=Eliezer |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=174797 |title=''Jerusalem Post'': UNSC powers back nuke-free ME |work=Jerusalem Post |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> In May 2010, Israel reportedly deployed [[Dolphin class submarine]]s with nuclear missiles capable of reaching any target in Iran in the [[Persian Gulf]]. Their reported missions were to deter Iran, gather intelligence, and to potentially land [[Mossad]] agents on the Iranian coast.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7140282.ece |title=Israel stations nuclear missile subs off Iran |author=Uzi Mahnaimi |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=30 May 2010 |accessdate=19 June 2010 | location=London}}</ref> In 2018, the Israeli Prime Minister said that the Mossad seized about one hundred thousand documents of Iran's nuclear program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salemalketbi.com/en/international-affairs/884-mossad-agents-have-disclosed-the-failure-of-iran-s-security-system|title=Mossad Agents Have Disclosed the Failure of Iran's Security System|last=[[Salem Al Ketbi|Al Ketbi]]|first=Salem|date=|website=www.salemalketbi.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-05-17}}</ref> ===Netherlands=== According to a [[Dutch people|Dutch]] newspaper, the Netherlands had launched an operation to infiltrate and sabotage the Iranian weapons industry, but ended the operation due to increasing fears of an American or Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.<ref>{{cite web|author=infolivetvenglish |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6x6E5HC5D0 |title=Dutch Government Pulls Intelligence Operatives Out Of Iran |work=Youtube |date=1 September 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> ===Muslim countries=== The [[Abdul Qadeer Khan|A.Q. Khan]] network, established to procure equipment and material for Pakistan's [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]] (gas-centrifuge-based programme), also supplied Iran with critical technology for its uranium enrichment program, and helped "put Iran on a fast track toward becoming a nuclear weapons power."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A18170-2003Dec20?language=printer|title=Washington Post article|work=The Washington Post | date=21 August 2012}}</ref> [[File:Nuclear weapon programs worldwide oct2006.png|thumb|250px|World map with [[List of countries with nuclear weapons|nuclear weapons development status]] represented by color. {{legend|#E90F0F|Five "nuclear weapons states" from the NPT}} {{legend|#F08000|Other states known to possess nuclear weapons}} {{legend|#81147F|States formerly possessing nuclear weapons}} {{legend|#FFC34D|States suspected of being in the process of developing nuclear weapons and/or nuclear programs}} {{legend|#003AFF|States which at one point had nuclear weapons and/or nuclear weapons research programs}} {{legend|#E664AC|States that possess nuclear weapons, but have not widely adopted them}}]] The 2008 Annual [[Arab]] Public Opinion Poll, Survey of the [[Anwar Sadat]] Chair for Peace and Development at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] conducted in Egypt, Jordan, [[Lebanon]], Morocco, [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[UAE]] in March 2008 noted the following as a key finding.<ref name="0414_middle_east_telhami"> {{cite web |url = http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/events/2008/0414_middle_east/0414_middle_east_telhami.pdf |title = 2008 Annual Arab Public Opinion Poll, Survey of the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland |accessdate = 12 June 2008 |author = Telhami, Shibley |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080626105755/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/events/2008/0414_middle_east/0414_middle_east_telhami.pdf |archivedate = 26 June 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> <blockquote> "In contrast with the fears of many Arab governments, the Arab public does not appear to see Iran as a major threat. Most believe that Iran has the right to its nuclear program and do not support international pressure to force it to curtail its program. A plurality of Arabs (44%) believes that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, the outcome would be more positive for the region than negative." </blockquote> [[Indonesia]], the [[Islam by country|world's most populous]] Muslim-majority nation and a non-permanent member of the [[U.N. Security Council]] abstained from a vote in March 2008 on a [[UN Security Council Resolution 1803|U.N. resolution]] to impose a third set of sanctions on Iran.<ref> {{cite news |title=Iran's President Thanks Indonesia for Not Supporting UN Resolution |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-03/2008-03-11-voa25.cfm?CFID=250694341&CFTOKEN=91553134 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080519234649/http://voanews.com/english/archive/2008-03/2008-03-11-voa25.cfm?renderforprint=1&textonly=1&&CFID=237999221&CFTOKEN=62762093 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2008 |publisher=Voice of America |date=11 March 2008 |accessdate=12 June 2008 }} </ref> It was the only country out of the [[U.N. Security Council#Elected members|10 non-permanent members]] to abstain. Indonesian President [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]] speaking at a joint news conference with Iran's President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] in [[Tehran]] in March 2008 said<ref> {{cite news |title=Iran offers Indonesia nuclear cooperation |url=http://en.rian.ru/world/20080311/101096147.html |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=11 March 2008 |accessdate=12 June 2008 }} </ref> <blockquote> "Iran's nuclear program is of a peaceful nature and must not be politicized" </blockquote> Pakistan, which has [[Islam by country|the second largest Muslim population in the world]] is not a member of the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] and already [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|possesses nuclear weapons]]. On 12 May 2006 AP published an interview with Pakistan's former [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] of Pakistan Army General [[Mirza Aslam Beg]] In the AP interview, Beg detailed nearly 20 years of Iranian approaches to obtain conventional arms and then technology for nuclear weapons. He described an Iranian visit in 1990, when he was Chief of Army Staff. <blockquote>''They didn't want the technology. They asked: 'Can we have a bomb?' My answer was: By all means you can have it but you must make it yourself. Nobody gave it to us.''</blockquote> Beg said he is sure Iran has had enough time to develop them. But he insists the Pakistani government didn't help, even though he says former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto once told him the Iranians offered more than $4 billion for the technology. [https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060512/ap_on_re_as/iran_pakistan_nuclear] In an article in 2005 about nuclear proliferation he stated :"''I would not like my future generations to live in the neighborhood of "[[Israel and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear capable Israel]]."''" :"''Countries acquire the (nuclear) capability on their own, as we have done it. Iran will do the same, because they are threatened by Israel.''"<ref> {{cite news |title=Outside View: Nuke Proliferators Can't Be Stopped |url=http://www.spacewar.com/news/nuclear-blackmarket-05l.html |publisher=UPI |date=7 March 2005 |accessdate=13 June 2008 }} </ref> ''[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]'' reported on 31 October 2003, that Grand Ayatollahs, like [[Ayatollah Yousef Sanei]], and Iranian [[clerics]] led by [[Ayatollah Ali Khamenei]] have repeatedly declared that Islam forbids the development and use of all weapons of mass destruction. SFGate.com quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying: :"''The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on its fundamental religious and legal beliefs, would never resort to the use of weapons of mass destruction. In contrast to the propaganda of our enemies, fundamentally we are against any production of weapons of mass destruction in any form.''"<ref name="sfc31oct03">{{cite journal |author=Collier, Robert|title=Nuclear weapons unholy, Iran says. Islam forbids use, clerics proclaim.|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/10/31/MNGHJ2NFRE1.DTL&hw=Khamenei+fatwa&sn=001&sc=1000|accessdate=6 December 2007 | date=31 October 2003 | journal=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> On 21 April 2006, at a [[Hamas]] rally in [[Damascus]], Anwar Raja, the [[Lebanon]]-based representative of the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]], a party that achieved 4.25% of the votes and holds 3 out the 132 seats in the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]] following the [[2006 Palestinian legislative election|election]] declared: :"''The Muslim, Iranian, fighting people now possess nuclear capabilities. My brother, the Iranian representative sitting here, let me tell you that we, the Palestinian people, are in favour of Iran having a nuclear bomb, not just energy for peaceful purposes.''"<ref name="memri1114"> {{cite web |url=http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1114.htm |title=Clip No. 1114 |accessdate=25 September 2006 |publisher=Middle East Media Research Institute |year=2006}} </ref> On 3 May 2006 Iraqi Shia cleric Ayatollah [[Ahmad Husseini Al Baghdadi]], who opposes the [[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present|presence of US forces in Iraq]] and is an advocate of violent [[jihad]] was interviewed on Syrian TV. In his interview he said:<ref> {{cite web |url=http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iraq&ID=SP116606 |title=Iraqi Ayatollah Ahmad Al-Baghdadi Talks of America's Annihilation and the Muslim Conquest of the World; Declares Support for Nuclear Bombs for Muslim and Arab Countries |accessdate=13 June 2008 |publisher=Middle East Media Research Institute |year=2006}} </ref> :"''How can they face Iran? How come Israel has 50 nuclear bombs? Why are they selective? Why shouldn't an Islamic or Arab country have a nuclear bomb? I am not referring to the Iranian program, which the Iranians say is for peaceful purposes. I am talking about a nuclear bomb.''" :"''This Arab Islamic nation must obtain a nuclear bomb. Without a nuclear bomb, we will continue to be oppressed,''" ====Baku declaration==== A declaration signed on 20 June 2006 by the foreign ministers of 56 nations of the 57-member [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] stated that "the only way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue is to resume negotiations without any preconditions and to enhance co-operation with the involvement of all relevant parties". ====Qatar and Arab vote against the U.N. Security Council resolution==== 31 July 2006: The UN Security Council gives until 31 August 2006 for Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment and related activities or face the prospect of sanctions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Security Council Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment by 31 August, or Face Possible Economic, Diplomatic Sanctions |work=UN press release |date=31 July 2006 |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2006/sc8792.doc.htm }}</ref> The draft passed by a vote of 14–1 (Qatar, which represents Arab states on the council, opposing). The same day, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Javad Zarif qualified the resolution as "arbitrary" and illegal because the NTP protocol explicitly guarantees under international law Iran's right to pursue nuclear activities for peaceful purposes. In response to today's vote at the UN, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that his country will revise his position vis-à-vis the economic/incentive package offered previously by the G-6 (5 permanent Security council members plus Germany.)<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran won't respond to offer until August |work=USA Today |date=21 June 2006 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-06-21-iran-response_x.htm }}</ref> In December 2006, the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|Gulf Cooperation Council]] called for a nuclear weapons free Middle East and recognition of the right of a country to expertise in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.gcc-sg.org/English/Books/sessions/cs027.html |title=The Closing Statement Of the Twenty-Seventh Session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (December 2006) |publisher=Library.gcc-sg.org |accessdate=23 November 2011 |archivedate=9 July 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709045659/http://library.gcc-sg.org/English/Books/sessions/cs027.html }}</ref> ===Non-Aligned Movement=== The Non-Aligned Movement has said that the present situation whereby Nuclear Weapon States monopolise the right to possess nuclear weapons is "highly discriminatory", and they have pushed for steps to accelerate the process of nuclear disarmament.<ref name="autogenerated1998"/> On 16 September 2006 in Havana, Cuba, all of the 118 [[Non-Aligned Movement]] member countries, at the summit level, declared supporting Iran's nuclear program for civilian purposes in their final written statement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/06/sep/1183.html|title=Payvand's Iran News: Iran Wins Backing From Non-Aligned Bloc|publisher=Payvand.com|date=17 September 2006|accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> That is a clear majority of the 192 countries comprising the entire United Nations, which comprise 55% of the [[world population]]. On 11 September 2007 the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] rejected any "interference" in Iran's nuclear transparency deal with U.N. inspectors by Western countries through the [[UN Security Council]].<ref name="ReutersNAM">{{cite news|last=Heinrich |first=Mark |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1154089720070911 |title=Developing states rap "interference" in Iran deal |agency=Reuters |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=11 September 2007}}</ref> On 30 July 2008 the Non-Aligned Movement welcomed the continuing cooperation of Iran with the IAEA and reaffirmed Iran's right to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The movement further called for the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East and called for a comprehensive multilaterally negotiated instrument which prohibits threats of attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc733.pdf |title=XV Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (July 2008): Statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Nuclear Issue |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911030318/http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2008/infcirc733.pdf |archivedate=11 September 2010 }}</ref> ==Biological weapons== Iran ratified the [[Biological Weapons Convention]] on 22 August 1973.<ref name=OPBW>{{cite web|url=http://www.opbw.org/convention/status.html |title=Signatories of the Biological Weapons Convention |publisher=Opbw.org |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> Iran has advanced biology and genetic engineering research programs supporting an industry that produces world-class vaccines for both domestic use and export.<ref name="vacc">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/00/oct/1067.html|title=Razi Institute produces dlrs 100 m worth of vaccines, serums a year|accessdate=22 April 2006}}</ref> The dual-use nature of these facilities means that Iran, like any country with advanced biological research programs, could easily produce biological warfare agents. A 2005 report from the [[United States Department of State]] claimed that Iran began work on offensive biological weapons during the [[Iran–Iraq War]], and that their large legitimate bio-technological and bio-medical industry "could easily hide pilot to industrial-scale production capabilities for a potential BW program, and could mask procurement of BW-related process equipment". The report further said that "available information about Iranian activities indicates a maturing offensive program with a rapidly evolving capability that may soon include the ability to deliver these weapons by a variety of means".<ref>Bureau of Verification and Compliance, U.S. Department of State, "Adherence to and Compliance With Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments" (30 August 2005).</ref> According to the [[Nuclear Threat Initiative]], Iran is known to possess cultures of the many [[biological agent]]s for legitimate scientific purposes which have been weaponised by other nations in the past, or could theoretically be weaponised. Although they do not allege that Iran has attempted to weaponise them, Iran possesses sufficient biological facilities to potentially do so.<ref name="bioref">{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/Biological/2302.html |title=NTI: Country Overviews: Iran: Biological Capabilities|accessdate=17 April 2006 |publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiative |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20051130040000/http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/Biological/2302.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 30 November 2005}}</ref> ==Chemical weapons== [[File:Chemical weapon1.jpg|thumb|300px|Iranian soldier with [[gas mask]] under [[Chemical warfare|chemical bombardment]] by Iraqi forces in the battlefield during the [[Iran–Iraq War]].]] Iran has experienced attack by chemical warfare (CW) on the battlefield and suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties, both civilian and military, in such attacks during the 1980–88 [[Iran–Iraq War]]. Iran was completely unprepared for chemical warfare and did not even have sufficient gas masks for its troops. Due to sanctions, Iran had to purchase gas masks from North Korea or commercial painting respirator masks bought from the West. Iran is not known to have resorted to using chemical weapons in retaliation for Iraqi chemical weapons attacks during the Iran–Iraq War despite the fact it would have been legally entitled to do so under the then-existing international treaties on the use of chemical weapons which only prohibited the first use of such weapons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/programs/dc/briefs/030701.htm|title=CNS - DC: Briefing Series|date=2003-01-02|access-date=2017-10-15|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030102224708/http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/programs/dc/briefs/030701.htm|archivedate=2 January 2003|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Still Iran did develop a chemical-weapons-program during the latter part of that war, and in 1989, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Iran started a major campaign to produce and stockpile chemical weapons after a truce was agreed with Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/27/world/a-german-concern-sold-chemicals-to-iran-us-says.html?mcubz=3|title=A GERMAN CONCERN SOLD CHEMICALS TO IRAN, U.S. SAYS|first=Michael R. Gordon With Stephen Engelberg and Special To the New York|last=Times|date=|website=nytimes.com|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> On 13 January 1993 Iran signed the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] and ratified it on 3 November 1997. In the official declaration submitted to OPCW Iranian government acknowledged that it had developed a chemical-weapons-program in the 1980s but asserted that it had since ceased the program and destroyed the stockpiles of operational weapons.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zander|first1=Jean Pascal|title=Iranian Use of Chemical Weapons: A Critical Analysis of Past Allegations|url=http://cns.miis.edu/archive/cns/programs/dc/briefs/030701.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905165209/http://cns.miis.edu/archive/cns/programs/dc/briefs/030701.htm|archivedate=5 September 2015|date=7 March 2001}}</ref> In an interview with [[Gareth Porter]], [[Mohsen Rafighdoost]], the Minister of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] throughout the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, described how supreme leader [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] had twice blocked his proposal to begin working on both nuclear and chemical weapons to counter Iraqi chemical attacks, which Rafighdoost interpreted as a fatwa against their use and production, because it was issued by the "[[Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists|guardian jurist]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Porter|first=Gareth|authorlink=Gareth Porter|title=When the Ayatollah Said No to Nukes|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/10/16/when-the-ayatollah-said-no-to-nukes/|accessdate=21 August 2015|work=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=16 October 2014}}</ref> A U.S. [[Central Intelligence Agency]] report dated January 2001 speculated that Iran had manufactured and stockpiled chemical weapons – including [[blister agent|blister]], [[blood agent|blood]], [[Pulmonary agent|choking]], and probably [[nerve agent]]s, and the bombs and artillery shells to deliver them. It further claimed that during the first half of 2001, Iran continued to seek production technology, training, expertise, equipment, and chemicals from entities in Russia and China that could be used to help Iran reach its goal of having indigenous nerve agent production capability.<ref name="cia-report">{{cite web|title=Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January Through 30 June 2001|accessdate=26 April 2006|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency (USA)|url=http://www.cia.gov/library/publications//bian/bian_jan_2002.htm }}</ref> However the certainty of this assessment declined and in 2007 the U.S. [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] limited its public assessment to just noting that "Iran has a large and growing commercial chemical industry that could be used to support a chemical agent mobilization capability."<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.wmdinsights.com/I22/I22_ME2_Iran1stGenCW.htm|title=Iran's First-Generation Chemical Weapons Evaporate, as Certainty Declines in U.S. Intelligence Reports|author=Markus Binder|publisher=WMD Insights|date=February 2008|accessdate=27 March 2008}}</ref> Iran is a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans chemical weapons, delivery systems, and production facilities.<ref name="status">{{cite web |url=http://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/ |title=States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention |accessdate=22 July 2008 |work=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=20 May 2008}}</ref> Iran has reiterated its commitment to the CWC and its full support for the work of the OPCW, in particular in view of the considerable suffering these weapons have caused to the Iranian people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opcw.org/news/news/article/opcw-director-general-visits-the-islamic-republic-of-iran/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908035509/http://www.opcw.org/news/news/article/opcw-director-general-visits-the-islamic-republic-of-iran/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2012 |title=OPCW Director-General Visits the Islamic Republic of Iran |accessdate=3 November 2009 |work=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=8 September 2005 }}</ref> Iran has not made any declaration of a weapons stockpile under the treaty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opcw.org/index.php?eID=dam_frontend_download&fileID=13269|title=DRAFT REPORT OF THE OPCW ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, STOCKPILING AND USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION IN 2008|accessdate=3 November 2009 |work=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=16 July 2009}}</ref> In 2013 Ahmet Uzumcu, the Director-General of the OPCW, hailed Iran as an effective and active member-state of the OPCW.<ref>[https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/cw.htm Chemical Weapons in Iran] GlobalSecurity.org. By John Pike. 31 March 2017. Downloaded 6 January 2018.</ref> In 2016 Iranian chemists synthesised five [[Novichok agents|Novichok nerve agents]], originally developed in the [[Soviet Union]], for analysis and produced detailed mass spectral data which was added to the OPCW Central Analytical Database.<ref name=spectroscopynow-20170101/><ref name=rcms-20161005>{{cite journal |title=Fragmentation pathways and structural characterization of organophosphorus compounds related to the Chemical Weapons Convention by electron ionization and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry |vauthors=Hosseini SE, Saeidian H, Amozadeh A, Naseri MT, Babri M |journal=Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry |volume=30 |issue=24 |pages = 2585–2593|doi=10.1002/rcm.7757 |date=5 October 2016 }}</ref> Previously there had been no detailed descriptions of their spectral properties in open scientific literature.<ref name=opcw-20130327>{{cite report |page=3 |url=https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/CSP/RC-3/en/rc3wp01_e_.pdf |title=Report of the Scientific Advisory Board on developments in science and technology for the Third Review Conference |id=RC-3/WP.1 |publisher=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=27 March 2013 |accessdate=15 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=spectroscopynow-20170101>{{cite web |url=http://www.spectroscopynow.com/details/ezine/1591ca249b2/Iranian-chemists-identify-Russian-chemical-warfare-agents.html |title=Iranian chemists identify Russian chemical warfare agents |author=Ryan De Vooght-Johnson |work=spectroscopyNOW.com |publisher=Wiley |date=1 January 2017 |accessdate=18 March 2018}}</ref> ==Delivery systems== ===Missiles=== {{main|Aerospace_Force_of_the_Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps#Missile_forces}} A [[Shahab-4]] with a range of 2,000&nbsp;km and a payload of 1,000&nbsp;kg is believed to be under development. Iran has stated the Shahab-3 is the last of its war missiles and the Shahab-4 is being developed to give the country the capability of launching communications and surveillance satellites. A [[Shahab-5]], an [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] with a 10,000&nbsp;km range, has been alleged but not proven to be under development.<ref name="shahab-5">{{cite web |url=http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/Missile/index.html|accessdate=1 October 2010 |title=NTI: Country Overviews: Iran Profile: Missile Capabilities|publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiative}}</ref> In 2017, Iran tested the [[Khorramshahr (missile)|Khorramshahr]], an [[MRBM]] that can carry an 1800&nbsp;kg payload over 2000&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/khorramshahr/|title=Khorramshahr - Missile Threat|author=|date=|website=csis.org|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> Iran has 12 [[Kh-55 (missile family)|X-55]] long range [[cruise missile]]s purchased without nuclear warheads from [[Ukraine]] in 2001. The X-55 has a range of 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers.<ref name="x55">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/x-55.htm|title=X-55 Long Range Cruise Missile|accessdate=20 April 2006|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|author=Pike, John}}</ref> Iran's most advanced missile, the [[Fajr-3 ballistic missile|Fajr-3]], has an unknown range but is estimated to be 2,500&nbsp;km. The missile is radar evading and can strike targets simultaneously using multiple warheads.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran |work=MDAA |url=http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/index/Iran2006.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216030510/http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/index/Iran2006.html |archivedate=16 February 2007 }}</ref> On 2 November 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of military [[military simulation|war games]]. Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including [[Shahab-2]] and [[Shahab-3]] missiles. The missiles had ranges from 300 km to up to 2,000&nbsp;km...Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster [[warhead]]s in them with the capacity to carry 1,400 bombs." These launches come after some United States-led military exercises in the [[Persian Gulf]] on 30 October 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of [[weapons of mass destruction]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran fires unarmed missiles |work=[[CNN]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html |date=2 November 2006 |archivedate=2 November 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102164032/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html }}</ref> The Sejil is a two-stage, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface missile (SSM) produced by Iran with a reported 1,930&nbsp;km (1,200&nbsp;mi) range. A successful test launch took place on 12 November 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7725951.stm |title=Middle East &#124; Iran tests new long-range missile |publisher=BBC News |date=13 November 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> According to Jane's Information Group, details of the design other than the number of stages and that it uses solid fuel have not been released. Uzi Ruben, former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, indicated that, "Unlike other Iranian missiles, the Sajil bears no resemblance to any North Korean, Russian, Chinese or Pakistani (missile technology). It demonstrates a significant leap in Iran's missile capabilities." Ruben went on to state that the Sejil-1 " ... places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles, which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities ..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065927438 |title=Defence Security Report |publisher=Janes.com |date=14 November 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> As a weapon, the Sejil-1 presents much more challenge to Iran's potential enemies, as solid-fuel missiles can be launched with much less notice than liquid-fueled missiles, making them more difficult to strike prior to launch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/126974/analysis/20081112_iran_u_s_missile_claims_and_bmd_europe |title=Free Article for Non-Members |publisher=Stratfor |date=12 November 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527141129/http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/126974/analysis/20081112_iran_u_s_missile_claims_and_bmd_europe |archivedate=27 May 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Sejil-2 is an upgraded version of the Sejil. The Sejil-2 two-stage solid-fuel missile has a 2,000&nbsp;km range and was first test fired on 20 May 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/20/iran.missile.test/ |title=Iran tests new surface-to-surface missile |publisher=CNN |date=20 May 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The Sejil-2 surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) was first tested eight months prior to the actual test launch, which took place in the central Iranian province of Semnan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/95359.html |title=PressTV – Iran successfully tests Sejjil 2 missile |publisher=Edition.presstv.ir |date=20 May 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508012755/http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/95359.html |archivedate=8 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Improvements include better navigation system, better targeting system, more payload, longer range, faster lift-off, longer storage time, quicker launch, and lower detection possibility.<ref>{{cite web |author=msoltan |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lXT4NgviL0 |title=Iran Successfully Tests Sejjil-2 Missile |via=[[YouTube]] |date=20 May 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+style="color: green;"| '''Iran's Nuclear Capable Missiles''' ! style="color:#fff; background:green;"| Name/Designation ! style="color:#fff; background:green;"| Class ! style="color:#fff; background:green;"| Range<br />(varies with payload weight) ! style="color:#fff; background:green;"| Payload ! style="color:#fff; background:green;"| Status |- |[[Fajr-3 ballistic missile|Fajr-3]] || [[MRBM]] || 2,000&nbsp;km || 800&nbsp;kg || Operational |- |[[Shahab-2]] || [[SRBM]] || 300–2,000&nbsp;km || 1200&nbsp;kg || Operational |- |[[Shahab-3]]//[[Emad (missile)|Emad]]/[[Ghadr-110]] || [[MRBM]] || 2,100&nbsp;km || 990&nbsp;kg || Operational |- |[[Shahab-4]] || [[MRBM]] || 2,000&nbsp;km || 2,000&nbsp;kg || Under Development |- |[[Sejjil|Sejil-1]] || [[MRBM]] || 1,930&nbsp;km || Unknown || Operational |- |[[Sejjil|Sejil-2]] || [[MRBM]] || 2,000&nbsp;km || Unknown || Operational |- |[[Khorramshahr (missile)|Khorramshahr]] || [[MRBM]] || 2,000&nbsp;km || 1800&nbsp;kg || Testing phase |} ===Aircraft=== {{Main|Iranian Air Force}} Any aircraft could potentially be used to host some form of WMD distribution system.{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}} Iran has a varied air force with aircraft purchased from many countries, including the United States. Due to sanctions, the Iranian government has encouraged the domestic production of aircraft and, since 2002, has built its own transport aircraft, fighters, and gunship helicopters. ==See also== *[[AMAD Project]] *[[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]] *[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747]] *[[Nuclear program of Iran]] *[[Operation Merlin]] *[[Green Salt Project]] *[[Iranian Space Agency]] ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://www.communitywalk.com/map/3078 Annotated Google map of Iranian nuclear sites] * Report by the Director General of IAEA: ''[http://www.isis-online.org/publications/iran/IAEA_Iran_Report_22Feb2008.pdf Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007) in the Islamic Republic of Iran]'', 22 February 2008, GOV/2008/4. ;Analysis * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111208233740/http://ifri.org/downloads/Prolif_Paper_Perkovich.pdf Towards Transatlantic Cooperation in Meeting the Iranian Nuclear Challenge] – analysis by George Perkovich, IFRI Proliferation Papers n°14, 2005 * [http://www.payvand.com/news/03/oct/1015.html Iran's Nuclear History], Prof. Mohammad Sahimi, Chairman of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the [[University of Southern California]], and member of the [[Union of Concerned Scientists]], 2 October 2003 * {{cite web|url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/2005/iran-fuel-cycle-brief_dos_2005.pdf |title=Iran's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities: A Pattern of Peaceful Intent? }}&nbsp;{{small|(2.36&nbsp;MB)}}, [[US State Department]], September 2005–presentation of US position. Satellite photography and quotes from Iranian leaders are documented and analyzed. * [http://mit.edu/stgs/irancrisis.html Iran as a Pioneer Case for Multilateral Nuclear Arrangements]. Cambridge, Mass.: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. * [http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-476/_nr-1320/i.html Europe's Iran Policy: Breaking out of the Spiral of Mistrust] by Prof. Volker Perthes, head of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin * [https://archive.today/20121209182518/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Wv7d_FdiMH0J:mondediplo.com/2005/11/02iran Iran needs nuclear energy, not weapons], [[Le Monde diplomatique]], November 2005 – questions whether Iran's nuclear program was really clandestine as commonly claimed. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213020138/http://hir.harvard.edu/articles/1294/ Forced to Fuel] (Harvard Int'l Law Review, Vol. 26 No. 4 – Winter 2005) lays out the case for nuclear energy in Iran, by Prof. Muhammad Sahimi. * [http://www.antiwar.com/orig/bayyenat.php?articleid=8401 If Iran Gets Nukes] by Abolghasem Bayyena, [[Antiwar.com]], 17 January 2006 ;Political statements * [https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/us/rm/33909.htm Iran's Continuing Pursuit of Weapons of Mass Destruction] Testimony by [[John R. Bolton]], Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, before the [[House International Relations Committee]] Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, Washington DC, 24 June 2004 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060813193457/http://www.un.int/iran/statements/securitycouncil/articles/69.pdf Iranian Response to UN Security Council Resolution] Ambassador Javad Zarif's statement to the UN Security Counsel in response to the resolution requiring Iran to suspend enrichment, 31 July 2006. {{Portal bar|Nuclear technology}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Iran And Weapons Of Mass Destruction}} [[Category:Politics of Iran|WMD]] [[Category:Weapons of Iran|WMD]] [[Category:Foreign relations of Iran|WMD]] [[Category:Weapons of mass destruction by country]]'