Iran is believed to have obtained high-strength aluminum required for the production of nuclear weapons, said a report by Middle East Newslink (MENL).
Israel and the United States have assessed that the aluminum was delivered to Iranian government agencies responsible for nuclear weapons development, said the news service specialized in defense issues.
MENL added that US officials have raised the issue with Moscow and the subject was said to have been on the agenda of President George Bush during his weekend talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Washington Post report cited by the agency said a shipment of such aluminum arrived in Iran soon after Bush entered the presidency on Jan. 21. The newspaper said US officials rejected an explanation by Russia that the aluminum was meant for Iranian aircraft production.
US officials are said to believe that the aluminum is required for the production of rotor blades in gas centrifuges used to produce weapons-grade uranium. They said Iran has been attempting to acquire centrifuge technology to produce a nuclear bomb.
Last year, the United States stopped a Russian attempt to deliver to Iran advanced equipment required for nuclear weapons development.
The nuclear non-proliferation regime was challenged in 1998 by nuclear weapon tests in India and Pakistan, by medium-range missile tests in those countries and in Iran.
According to a previous report by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), the international community has exerted efforts to curtail Iran's nuclear energy program, but “this Middle East state has scored significant successes in acquiring technologies and building facilities.” – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
