Iran’s Nuclear Program: Recent Developments [Updated February 28, 2006] Page: 6 of 6
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CRS-6
that the Board would address "the timing and content of the report required under Article
XII.C [of the Statute]."
For several months, Iran provided a few more details on outstanding issues and
negotiated with Russia on an offer to conduct uranium enrichment on Russian soil as an
alternative to indigenous Iranian facilities. In January, however, Iran effectively abandoned
its voluntary suspension of enrichment-related activities negotiations, as well as the
interim application of the Additional Protocol, prompting an emergency Board meeting.
An IAEA report prepared for the meeting linked, for the first time, a document in Iran's
possession from the Khan network on uranium casting and machining to the fabrication
of nuclear weapons components."7 Iran has refused, so far, to provide a copy of the
document, and has told the IAEA that the Khan network provided the document on its own
initiative. Reportedly, key information such as dimensions and other specification for the
components was missing. Nonetheless, under Article II of the NPT, Iran is obligated not
to receive any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear explosives, so the question of
whose initiative prompted transfer of the document is moot. The February Board passed
a resolution (GOV/2006/14, upon a vote with no consensus) to report Iran to the Security
Council.
IAEA investigation of allegations that Iran is pursuing the "Green Salt Project" (for
conversion of uranium dioxide into UF4, the precursor for UF6 that is used in an
enrichment plant), as well as high explosives and missile reentry vehicle designs, has
yielded little information thus far from Iranian officials, who say the allegations are
baseless.
Next Steps
Although Iran's noncompliance was reported on February 4, 2006, the U.N. Security
Council has not yet taken up the issue. Some observers have suggested that the Board of
Governors would vote again in March, perhaps with some recommendations to the U.N.
Security Council. There are no requirements in the IAEA Statute to provide any
recommendations and the Board has never done so in the past. Negotiations with Russia
on the enrichment offer continue, but there has not been final agreement. On February 26,
2006, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated that Iran had no intention of
suspending its nuclear program.18
Reporting the noncompliance does not guarantee any action by the Security Council.
Some member states have supported sanctions, while others have not. If sanctions were
considered, they might include bans on Iranian oil, trade, or international investment in
Iran's energy sector; a ban on arms sales to Iran; limiting travel by certain Iranian officials;
and/or limiting international lending, among other things.19
1" See [http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/DDGs/2006/heinonen31012006.pdf]
18 "Iran Moves Toward Deal with Russia on Uranium," New York Times, February 27, 2006.
19 See CRS Report RL32048, Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses, by Kenneth Katzman.
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Squassoni, Sharon. Iran’s Nuclear Program: Recent Developments [Updated February 28, 2006], report, February 28, 2006; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc805556/m1/6/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.