Does Iran have more secret nuclear sites? The UN's atomic watchdogs are worried that the mullahs just might. Iran is being so squirrely about its recently-revealed enrichment plant, the international inspectors say, that there very well could be others, scattered around the country.
Courtesy of Arms Control Wonk, we can take a first look at the International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report on Iran's nuclear drive. The paper is couched in cautious, bureaucratic language, but one thing is clear: Iran isn't being straight about its nuclear ambitions. And that could mean there could be more "undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran."
The report contains details about a visit by representatives of the IAEA to a once-secret nuclear site near the city of Qom. In late October, inspectors were able to pay a visit to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is located about 20 kilometers north of Qom.
What did they find? According to the report, the IAEA verified that the plant -- which the Iranians say is not planned to be operational until 2011 -- was being built to contain sixteen cascades with a total of approximately 3,000 centrifuges. The Iranians say they plan to produce low-enriched uranium suitable for nuclear fuel; the plant is built for older IR-1 centrifuges, but the facility could be upgraded to contain more advanced centrifuges at a later date.
Inspectors also held meetings in Tehran to discuss the design of the plant, as well as the timeline for its construction. According to the Iranians, funds were allocated to launch the project in the second half of 2007 -- but the Islamic Republic did not notify the agency about the facility's existence until September 2009. That delayed declaration, the IAEA politely noted, "reduces the level of confidence in the absence of other nuclear facilities under construction and gives rise to questions about whether there were any other nuclear facilities not declared to the agency," the report said.
In other words, a pattern of secrecy persists when it comes to Iran's nuclear ambitions. And unless Tehran shifts gears, "the Agency will not be in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran."
Equally interesting is the rationale offered for the new enrichment site. Iran already has an enrichment plant at Natanz under IAEA supervision. But according to a letter provided to the agency, the regime decided to build the new site because of fears that the Natanz plant -- surrounded by the anti-aircraft emplacements seen here -- might be bombed into oblivion. The letter, dated Oct. 29, states:
This latest report comes amid a standoff with world powers. After a meeting with President Barack Obama in Singapore, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave the strongest signal to date that Russia might consider tough new sanctions against Iran. Moscow, he said, was "not completely happy about the pace" of efforts to solve the problem.
"In case we fail, other options remain on the table," Medvedev said in a press conference, referring to possible sanctions.
[PHOTO: Wikimedia]
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