Iran still working on building nuclear weapons, says CIA report

Washington, Mar 31(ANI): A new report by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has said that Iran is still working on building nuclear weapons despite technical setbacks and international resistance.

The CIA report is the latest official study expressing concern over Iran's continuing nuclear activities.

"Iran continues to develop a range of capabilities that could be applied to producing nuclear weapons, if a decision is made to do so," Fox News quoted the report, as saying.

"Iran continued to expand its nuclear infrastructure and continued uranium enrichment and activities related to its heavy water research reactor, despite multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions since late 2006 calling for the suspension of those activities," it added.

The new report also stands in contradiction with the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, which determined that the country had halted its nuclear production efforts in 2003.

Meanwhile, Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell said that the United States remains concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"They have not done enough to convince any of us that, indeed, their aims are purely peaceful. That is why this government, after extending an outstretched hand to Iran now for the better part of a year, has now pivoted. And though we haven't shut the door to engagement, we are clearly pursuing the pressure track," Morrell said.

Earlier on March 3, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had issued a report warning that continuing nuclear activities in violation of United Nations resolutions raise "concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile." (ANI)