London: The UN nuclear watchdog has asked Iran to explain evidence that it has carried out experiments with highly advanced nuclear warhead design.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes
Iranian scientists may have tested high explosive components
of a device called "two-point implosion", the British
newspaper the Guardian reported.
This technology would allow Iran capability to produce
smaller and simpler warheads as this device is used to reduce
the diameter of warheads and make it easier to mount it on a
missile, the paper said.
Documents relating to experimentation using these
device are part of the evidence of Iran's nuclear
weaponisation gathered by the IAEA and presented to Tehran for
its response.
"It is breathtaking that Iran could be working on this
sort of material," the paper quoted a European government
adviser on nuclear issues as saying.
Iran to give UN more details on nuke fuel plan
Tehran: Iran said today it is preparing to
give more details on its response to international proposals
for supplying nuclear fuel and expects more negotiations, even
as Washington warned the time for talking is over.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran would give
the additional details to the UN nuclear watchdog following
the initial response it gave to the proposals from three major
powers on October 29.
"We have some more details which we have to give to the
International Atomic Energy Agency," state television quoted
him on its website as saying.
"We have three options -- enrich the fuel ourselves, buy
it directly or exchange our uranium for fuel," he said.
"They (the IAEA and the major powers) have to choose from
these options. Given the need of Iran to have the fuel, my
view is that they will accept another round of discussions."
Mottaki's suggestion of further talks came despite a
warning from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday
that Washington's patience at Tehran's failure to give its
definitive response was beginning to wear thin.
She called on Iran to accept unamended the proposals
drawn up by the IAEA after talks it held with France, Russia
and the United States.
"As I have said, this is a pivotal moment for Iran, and
we urge Iran to accept the agreement as proposed," Clinton
told reporters.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 06, 2009, 19:51