AJC: New IAEA Report Reaffirms Dangers of Iran's Nuclear Program

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Sep 04, 2011, 11:39 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC expressed grave concern about the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest findings on Iran's nuclear activities.

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"This latest IAEA report underscores yet again the danger posed by the Iranian nuclear program," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

The nine-page report, released on Friday, examines Iran's compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and binding UN Security Council resolutions that address Iran's nuclear program.

Among its key highlights:

The IAEA is "increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving military-related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile, about which the Agency continues to receive new information."

Iran has produced over 4,500 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, which, according to the Institute for Science and International Security, is "almost enough for four nuclear weapons after further enrichment to weapon grade."

"The information available to the IAEA in connection with these outstanding issues is extensive and comprehensive and has been acquired from many Member States and through its own efforts."

"Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, and the IAEA is unable to provide a credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran..."

"While Iran tries to persuade one and all that its intentions are peaceful, the continuing cascade of documented evidence to the contrary reaffirms the stark truth that Iran would like to have its 'yellow cake' and eat it, too," said Harris.

"It remains an urgent diplomatic challenge for the international community to ensure that Tehran does not succeed. The United States and European Union are on record in this regard. The UN Security Council resolutions adopted to date are equally clear," Harris added. "Make no mistake about it. An Iran with nuclear-weapons capability would be a regional and global game changer. Those who assert that it would pose no new risk or could be somehow easily contained are simply fooling themselves – at great risk to everyone else, starting with the nations in Iran's immediate neighborhood."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee