Iran tested basic components of a nuclear weapon and had plans to build one, but its work on the project ended in 2009, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog concluded in a report Wednesday.
“The Agency assesses 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,” according to the report. “The Agency also assesses that these activities did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies, and the acquisition of certain relevant technical competencies and capabilities. The Agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009.”
According to published accounts, the report was more detailed than diplomats had expected. But limits on access under a confidential “roadmap” governing how the IAEA would conduct its inquiry made its conclusions less definite than what many, including U.S. lawmakers, had demanded.
“Faced with such outright Iranian efforts to deceive the inspectors, the IAEA broke relatively little new ground,” the Institute for Science and International Security said in an analysis. “The truth of Iran’s work on nuclear weapons is probably far more extensive than outlined by the IAEA in this report.”
The report, which was required under the nuclear deal in July between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, is expected to formally close the agency’s inquiry into Iran’s past weapons work, opening the door to relief for Tehran from international sanctions that have crippled its economy.
“Now it is the P5+1’s turn to close the issue at the Board of Governors,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told state television, referring to the group of six countries that negotiated the nuclear deal with Tehran.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that’s what he expects the United States and its partners will do.
“The IAEA has confirmed that Iran met its commitments to provide responses to IAEA requests under the roadmap for clarification for past and present issues, which is that agreement between IAEA and Iran to respond to IAEA questions,” he told reporters.
“We’re submitting that resolution with a view toward closing the [possible military dimension] issue, and then after that, we can focus on implementing the [nuclear deal].”
