LOC11:56
08:56 GMT
LONDON, July 7 (KUNA) -- Iran has resumed work on constructing highly
sophisticated equipment that nuclear experts say is primarily used for
building atomic weapons, according to the latest intelligence reports received
by western diplomats Monday.
The work is aimed at developing the blueprint provided by Dr. AQ Khan, the
"father" of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, who sold Iran details of how to build
atom bombs in the early 1990s, The Daily Telegraph newspaper said.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has overall responsibility for the
country's nuclear programme, has set up several civilian companies to work on
the programme whose activities are being deliberately concealed from the
United Nations nuclear inspection teams.
The companies, based on the outskirts of Tehran, are working on
constructing components for the advanced "P2" gas centrifuge, which can enrich
uranium to weapons grade two to three times faster than conventional "P1"
centrifuges, the paper added.
Iran's controversial nuclear enrichment programme at Natanz, which Tehran
insists is designed to produce fuel for nuclear power, runs on "P1"
centrifuges.
But Iranian nuclear scientists recently conducted successful tests on a
prototype "P2" centrifuge at Natanz, and the Revolutionary Guard has now set
up a network of companies to build components for the advanced centrifuges.
This has raised concerns among western experts that Iran is continuing work
on its nuclear weapons programme, despite Tehran's claims that its intentions
are peaceful.
"If Iran's nuclear intentions were peaceful, there would be no need for it
to undertake this work in secret," said an official familiar with the
intelligence reports.
A previous clandestine attempt by Iran to develop "P2" centrifuges was
halted in 2004 after the existence of a civilian company set up by the
Revolutionary Guard was exposed.
UN nuclear inspectors found traces of weapons-grade uranium at the company
when they inspected the premises, the paper concluded.(end)
he.wsa
KUNA 071156 Jul 08NNNN