Iran pursued WMD programmes, says CIA

IRAN "vigorously" pursued programmes to produce nuclear, chemical and biological weapons during the latter part of 2003 and was working to improve delivery systems, a CIA report said yesterday.

Al-Qaida was also engaged in rudimentary nuclear research, the CIA said, and the network's stated willingness to launch an unconventional attack was a major concern.

The unclassified semi-annual report to Congress on the acquisition of technology relating to weapons of mass destruction from July 1 through December 31, 2003, was posted on the intelligence agency's website www.cia.gov. "Iran's nuclear programme received significant assistance in the past from the proliferation network headed by Pakistani scientist AQ Khan," said the report.