FACTBOX: Key aspects of latest IAEA findings on Iran
(Reuters) - An International Atomic Energy Agency report on Monday said Iran had stymied an IAEA investigation into whether it secretly researched ways of making atom bombs, while steadily expanding uranium enrichment.
Following are highlights from the six-page report.
POSSIBLE MILITARY DIMENSIONS TO NUCLEAR WORK
Since 2005 the IAEA has received extensive intelligence from the United States and some U.S. allies pointing to what they say are past Iranian attempts to "weaponize" nuclear materials.
The documentation suggests administrative connections between projects to process uranium ore for nuclear fuel, test high explosives and re-shape a missile cone in a way suitable to contain a nuclear payload.
Monday's report said Iran had brought the IAEA investigation into "possible military dimensions" to a standstill by failing to back up its flat denials of wrongdoing by providing access to sites, documentation and relevant officials for interviews.
"For the agency to make progress, Iran (needs to) clarify the extent to which the information contained in the relevant documentation is factually correct and where in its view such information may have been modified or relates to alternative, non-nuclear purposes. Iran needs to provide the agency with substantive information to support its statements and access to relevant documentation and individuals in this regard.
The IAEA wants access to three ostensibly civilian workshops mentioned in documents referring to missile re-design studies.
Iran should also explain new information indicating it obtained "foreign expertise" to test explosives at high altitudes that would be typical of a nuclear blast.
Iran was called on to take the intelligence reports "seriously" because they were detailed, generally consistent and derived from multiple sources over different periods of time.
IRAN'S RESPONSE, OBJECTIONS
The report said Iran wanted hard copies of the intelligence so it could prove the accounts were "forged" or pertained only to conventional military research and hardware. Iran said it had seen only electronic versions subject to manipulation.
But countries that furnished the intelligence were not permitting the IAEA to pass on original copies to Tehran. Western officials are concerned not to expose their sources, some diplomats say.
Meanwhile, Iran argues that to grant the intrusive access called for would jeopardize the security of its conventional military facilities. Diplomats say Iran fears revealing targets for possible bombings by the United States or Israel.
IRAN GRADUALLY EXPANDING ENRICHMENT CAPACITY
Iran has increased the number of centrifuge machines enriching uranium by about 500 to 3,820 since May, with another 160 undergoing vacuum-tests and 2,000 more being installed.
Iran is also testing about a dozen advanced, more durable centrifuges which could enrich uranium 2-3 times faster than the temperamental 1970s-vintage model now in the production line.
