Israel: UN must keep probing Iran's nuclear work

Israel on Wednesday said the investigation into Tehran's atomic programme should be intensified after a UN watchdog released a report saying Iran carried out activities "relevant" to developing nuclear arms at least until the end of 2003.

"The International Atomic Energy Agency investigation proves beyond any doubt that Iran was operating a secret project to develop a nuclear weapon after 2003, as Israel has said," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, shortly after the report was made public.

"Israel expects the international community to deepen its investigation by way of the IAEA and use all the means at its disposal to ensure that Iran is unable to secretly build a nuclear weapon," it added.

"Without such an investigation the world will not know how far along the secret Iranian programme progressed and what its current status is."

Israel has been at the forefront of opposition to a landmark nuclear deal agreed between Iran and major powers in July, and Netanyahu has damaged his relations with US President Barack Obama over the issue.

Obama and European governments have championed the Iran deal as the best way of preventing Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon, but Netanyahu says Tehran is seeking to destroy the Jewish state and can't be trusted to keep its side of the agreement.

The IAEA's report found that "a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place after 2003."

It said however that "these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competences and capabilities."

It added: "The agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009."

The IAEA has long suspected that such activities -- known as the "possibile military dimensions" (PMD) of Iran's civilian nuclear programme -- may have taken place.

Iran has warned that it will not implement key parts of the July deal with major powers unless the PMD file is "closed".

The IAEA board is due to meet on December 15 to discuss the new report.
Source: AFP