Iran "has resources to achieve nuclear capability"

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to publish its report into Iran's nuclear program later this week; Russia and France oppose a military option. The media in the United States and Israel are in the meantime saying that the report will show that Iran has the know-how and resources "to achieve nuclear capability". Iran "has resources to achieve nuclear capability" The media reports are based on a briefing received by western experts on the intelligence information to be released by the IAEA, Tel Aviv-based newspaper Haaretz said on its website. According to this, Iranian scientists acquired the knowledge with the help of weapons scientists from Russia, Pakistan and North Korea. In the U.S., the media say the UN nuclear agency has been provided with intelligence showing Iran has carried out work on developing nuclear weapons technology. VOA reports that the Washington Post quoted former official with the International Atomic Energy Agency David Albright, who told the newspaper that the advancements include obtaining the design for, and testing of, a capsule of explosives used to trigger a nuclear explosion. Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned IAEA chief Yukiya Amano Monday to not release what the Iranian leader called a report of lies, saying that would hurt the agency's credibility. In an interview for Egypt's Al-Akhbar newspaper, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Israel and the United States of seeking world support for a military strike on Iran nuclear facilities", which he said had only a peaceful purpose. "The arrogant should know that Iran will not allow them to take any action against it," said he, adding that the U.S. wished to "save the Zionist entity, but it will not be able to do so." "This entity (Israel) can be compared to a kidney transplanted in a body that rejected it. Yes it will collapse and its end will be near." Meanwhile, Russian and French officials have warned against pursuing a military option in the crisis with Iran. An attack against Iran would be a very serious mistake with unforeseeable consequences, said Russian FM Segei Lavrov, adding that it would only lead to new conflicts and civilian casualties. In France, FM Alain Juppe stated that attacking Iran would completely destabilize the region, and added that his country will seek tougher sanctions instead. Western powers suspect Iran is developing nuclear weapons and have imposed sanctions against the country, whose leadership maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, while the uranium enrichment is designed to power electricity- producing reactors. VOA also quoted Israeli President Shimon Peres as saying last week that the international community was "closer to pursuing a military option than a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program". Also last week, U.S. President Barack Obama said Iran's nuclear program poses a "continuing threat" and urged Tehran to meet its nuclear obligations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Beta, file)

Iran "has resources to achieve nuclear capability"

The media reports are based on a briefing received by western experts on the intelligence information to be released by the IAEA, Tel Aviv-based newspaper Haaretz said on its website.

According to this, Iranian scientists acquired the knowledge with the help of weapons scientists from Russia, Pakistan and North Korea.

In the U.S., the media say the UN nuclear agency has been provided with intelligence showing Iran has carried out work on developing nuclear weapons technology.

VOA reports that the Washington Post quoted former official with the International Atomic Energy Agency David Albright, who told the newspaper that the advancements include obtaining the design for, and testing of, a capsule of explosives used to trigger a nuclear explosion.

Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned IAEA chief Yukiya Amano Monday to not release what the Iranian leader called a report of lies, saying that would hurt the agency's credibility.

In an interview for Egypt's Al-Akhbar newspaper, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Israel and the United States of seeking world support for a military strike on Iran nuclear facilities", which he said had only a peaceful purpose.

"The arrogant should know that Iran will not allow them to take any action against it," said he, adding that the U.S. wished to "save the Zionist entity, but it will not be able to do so."

"This entity (Israel) can be compared to a kidney transplanted in a body that rejected it. Yes it will collapse and its end will be near."

Meanwhile, Russian and French officials have warned against pursuing a military option in the crisis with Iran.

An attack against Iran would be a very serious mistake with unforeseeable consequences, said Russian FM Segei Lavrov, adding that it would only lead to new conflicts and civilian casualties.

In France, FM Alain Juppe stated that attacking Iran would completely destabilize the region, and added that his country will seek tougher sanctions instead.

Western powers suspect Iran is developing nuclear weapons and have imposed sanctions against the country, whose leadership maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, while the uranium enrichment is designed to power electricity- producing reactors.

VOA also quoted Israeli President Shimon Peres as saying last week that the international community was "closer to pursuing a military option than a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program".

Also last week, U.S. President Barack Obama said Iran's nuclear program poses a "continuing threat" and urged Tehran to meet its nuclear obligations.