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.

The United States and the European Union fear Iran’s civilian nuclear power program is a cover for making nuclear weapons.

The leaked report claims Iran has an advanced program designed to acquire nuclear expertise, training and equipment.

It also says Syria, Pakistan and North Korea are part of a global black market in illicit weapons parts.

The document says Iran has built a web of front companies, middlemen and academics to find the information and materials needed for nuclear, biological and chemical arsenals, according to the Guardian.

According to the newspaper, the document details Tehran’s attempts to build a missile capable of reaching Israel and southern Europe.

Iranian scientists are building wind tunnels, navigation technology and acquiring calibration devices needed for advanced missiles, the document says.

It concludes that Syria and Pakistan have also been buying technology and chemicals needed to develop rocket programs, according to the Guardian.

The report says scientists in Tehran are shopping for parts for a new ballistic missile with “import requests and acquisitions ... registered almost daily”, the Guardian said.

The report’s aim is to warn EU companies from doing business with the front companies, the newspaper said. The report does not name Western firms or academics believed to have worked with Iran, North Korea, Syria or Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Iran said it would resume atomic fuel research and development next week.

That could lead to renewed calls for the case to be referred to the UN Security Council, where Iran could face political or economic sanctions.