UANI: IAEA Report Verifies Existence of Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program

December 4, 2015

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December 4, 2015
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UANI: IAEA Report Verifies Existence of Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program

New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace and UANI Chairman Senator Joseph I. Lieberman issued the following statement today in response to the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) probe into the possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran's nuclear program:

The IAEA report is disturbing as it reveals that Iran continues to act as a nuclear weapons outlaw. It exposes that, at minimum, Iran continued nuclear weapons development through 2009. Notably, the IAEA could not describe the extent of Iran's nuclear weapons program after 2009 because Iran failed to answer basic questions and provide requested information.

Iran's intractable refusal to offer transparency regarding its illegal nuclear weapons program is the latest wakeup call regarding the dangerous nature of the Iranian regime. Iran's defiance regarding its nuclear weapons program is yet another grave risk factor for countries, businesses and persons who would seek to renew business ties to Iran. No responsible country, business or person should risk renewed business with Iran.


Why was there an investigation?

"From 2002 onwards, the Agency became increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile. Reports by the Director General identified outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme and the actions required of Iran to resolve these. The 2011 Annex provided a detailed analysis of the information then available to the Agency. The information indicated that Iran had carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device. The information also indicated that prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured programme, and that some activities may still have been ongoing."

Iran's full cooperation with the IAEA is mandatory

"The United Nations (UN) Security Council ('Security Council') has affirmed that the steps required by the [IAEA] Board of Governors in its resolutions are binding on Iran. Between 2006 and 2010, six Security Council resolutions were adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and are mandatory, in accordance with the terms of those resolutions... In particular, in its resolution of June 2010 (1929), the Security Council reaffirmed Iran's obligations, inter alia, to cooperate fully with the Agency on all outstanding issues, particularly those which gave rise to concerns about the possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme, including by providing access without delay to all sites, equipment, persons and documents requested by the Agency."

Iran has not fulfilled its obligations to cooperate fully with the IAEA on all outstanding issues.

Investigation assessment

"The Agency's overall assessment is 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... The Agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009."

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