An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Saturday that Iran has about 60 scientists and engineers involved in a concerted and expanding program to develop nuclear weapons under defense ministry auspices. However, diplomats say the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has had a spotty record with allegations about Irans nuclear work since exposing a secret uranium enrichment plant at Natanz in 2002. A top US nuclear expert said the NCRI report, like previous ones, should be treated with great skepticism.
Its latest report, whose details could not be verified, appeared timed to encourage a tougher line at talks with Iran the UN nuclear watchdog will have in Vienna today and tomorrow and six world powers will hold in Baghdad on May 23. However, it clashed with the assessment of US and Israeli -intelligence officials that Iran has not decided whether to weaponize its enrichment program. Tehran says it is refining uranium solely for peaceful energy.
In the six-page report, the Paris-based NCRI cited sources in Irans government and military as saying about 60 scientists were pursuing bomb-relevant research in 11 agencies operating clandestinely under defense ministry control. Information ... shows that the clerical regime has expanded the organization responsible for nuclear weapons development, the report said. This finding reveals a complete and elaborate, and highly ... secret research structure and a network for procurement of the required parts and equipment. So far, the identities of 60 directors and experts working in various parts of the New Defence Research Organization and 11 institutions and companies affiliated with it have been detailed, the report went on.
It featured diagrams said to lay out the disguised command structure and named scientists and engineers involved. The NCRI, an umbrella bloc of five opposition groups in exile that seek an end to Shiite Muslim clerical rule in Iran, urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to launch a robust probe into Irans nuclear program and all personnel involved. Iran says it is stockpiling enriched uranium for a future network of nuclear power plants, but the worlds No. 5 oil exporter has stonewalled an almost decade-old IAEA investigation into suspected military dimensions to its atomic activity.
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Iran advancing nuclear arms program, group says - Taipei Times
