Washington—Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Vice Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) today released the following statements regarding an International Atomic Energy Agency report on the progress of Iran’s nuclear facilities:

Senator Feinstein said: “The IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear weapons program substantially advances the international community’s knowledge about the true nature of this program. The IAEA assesses the information they have collected to be credible. It comes from a wide range of independent sources, member states, and the agency’s own efforts.

“In sum, this is one more step toward what has become an inescapable conclusion: Iran is, in fact, building the capability to produce nuclear weapons, should it decide to do so. Now is the time for Iran to answer these concerns, to abide by its commitments and demonstrate to the world that it is not seeking a nuclear weapon.”

Senator Chambliss said: “The IAEA today affirmed what our intelligence has been showing for some time—that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons efforts that cannot be explained away as dual-use nuclear energy technology.  In light of Iran’s recent assassination plot and reports of supplying weapons for use against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I hope there will be renewed urgency in dealing with Iran’s unrelenting nuclear ambition.”

The IAEA report:

• Lists “possible military dimensions” of the nuclear program and clearly indicates that Iran has “carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.”
   
• Summarizes “some successful [Iranian] efforts to procure nuclear related and dual use equipment and materials by military related individuals and entities” as well as Iranian work “on the development of an indigenous design of a nuclear weapon including the testing of components.”
   
• Urges Iran to take steps “towards the full implementation of its Safeguards Agreement and its other obligations” including suspension of enrichment related activities and suspension of heavy water related activities.
   
• Points out that Iran is not implementing its additional protocol, which means it is unable to provide credible evidence to the international community that it does not, in fact, have undeclared nuclear material.

###