IAEA: Teheran blocking weapons probe

Nuclear agency: Iran continuing to expand uranium enrichment; Report: Iran begins air defense games.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
iran nuclear new 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
iran nuclear new 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Iran is still blocking attempts to investigate allegations that Teheran carried out research and experiments linked to a nuclear weapons program, said a report released Monday by the UN nuclear agency. The International Atomic Energy Agency's report is being sent to the UN Security Council. It also said Teheran was continuing to expand its capabilities to enrich uranium. The report was posted on the IAEA's internal Web site Monday but was made available to The Associated Press. Iran has said it wants to enrich only to create nuclear fuel, but the process could also be used to create the fissile core of nuclear warheads. Fears that Iran wants to create nuclear weapons have led to three sets of UN sanctions. Also Monday, Iran's official news agency said the country's warplanes and air defense units were taking part in ongoing war games. The IRNA report quoted senior air force commander Gen. Ahmad Mighani as saying dozens of jet fighters and air bases across the country were participating in the drill. He did not say when the exercise began.