Iran-Nuclear+Development

Kris Morton Nuclear development in Iran Who : Iran and the United States (essentially) The International Atomic Energy'Agency (IAEA) is an autonomous body, established by the United Nations, that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. Iran signed the Nuclear Non-Prolif eration Treaty on July //'-,// Ire 5 and ratified the treaty on February 2, 1970. A number of countries, including the U.S., France, Germany, Russia and the United Xir.gc.c~, have accused Iran of a clandestine intention to develop nuclear vreaprr-s According to the IAEA, Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, or even weapons-grade uranium. On March 6, 2006, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the IAEA, reported that "the Agency has no~ seen indications of diversion of nuclear material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices" Why: Iran states the purpose of its nuclear program is the generation of power and that any other use would be a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which it is a signatory (but has threatened to withdraw from), as well as being against Iranian religious principles. When: On April 11, 2006, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Iranian scientists working at the pilot facility at Natanz had successfully enriched uranium to the 3.5 percent level, using a small cascade of 164 gas centrifuges. In the televised address from the city of Mashhad he said, "I am officially announcing that Iran has joined the group of those countries which have nuclear technology". Important information:  1. In an apparent bid to convince the world that its nuclear program is indeed peaceful in nature, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued an order on Wednesday allowing foreign tourists to visit the country's nuclear facilities.  2. The top U.S. intelligence official says Iran could have a  nuclear weapon within four to nine years, but that it still has time to turn away from that path.