Iran is secretly trying to make nuclear weapons, warns leaked report

IRAN is secretly trying to obtain technology and expertise needed to build a nuclear weapon, according to a leaked intelligence report that threatens to deepen a rift with the West over its nuclear programme.

Tehran’s nuclear purchasing plans stretch from Europe to North Korea and the former Soviet states, Britain’s Guardian newspaper said, citing a report by an unnamed European intelligence agency.

The report, dated July 1, 2005, draws on material gathered by British, French, German and Belgian agencies and has been used to brief European governments, the newspaper said.