This is this is the evidence that America will strike Iran within 2 to 5 years.
Iran: Nuclear Chronology
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases, we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
January 2002 Iran prepays a Russian company, Kolomensky Zavod, $2 million for five emergency diesel generator plants, at least some of which are for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. [Note: See 11 February 2002.] --"Russia: Moscow Region Firm to Supply Emergency Units for Iran's Nuclear Plant," Agentstvo Voyennykh Novostey (Moscow), 11 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020211000087, 11 February 2002.
3 January 2002 Intelligence Newsletter reports that there are three military nuclear facilities in Iran: the Amriabad laboratory, built in 1967 and upgraded by the United States in 1970 and 1974; in Karaj, 45km west of Tehran; and in Moallem Kalayeh, which reportedly has a 40MW reactor. The report also says that 300 Iranian nuclear experts are being trained around the world, mostly in Russia. --"Will Tehran Master Nuclear Bomb Technology By 2005?," Intelligence Newsletter,
3 January 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
7 January 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, the Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia will respect its agreements with Iran and will complete the nuclear reactor in Bushehr by 2004. He adds that the Bushehr project is similar to other projects Russia has carried out in China and India and that it is for purely peaceful purposes. Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani says that Iran has never been interested in acquiring nuclear weapons. -- "Russia Pledges to Continue Iranian Nuke Project," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 8,
7 January 2002; Vladimir Isachenkov, "Russia Will Complete Reactor Deal with Iran and Is Considering Tentative Request From North Korea," Associated Press, 27 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis
8 January 2002 Former Iranian President Hashemi-Rafsanjani says "Iran is not seeking to arm itself with non-conventional weapons." [Note: See 14 December 2001 for a statement by Rafsanjani regarding nuclear arms.] --"Daily Defends Iran's Right to Access Nuclear Technology for Peaceful Purposes," Tehran Times (Tehran), 8 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020108000047, 8 January 2002.
9 January 2002 The press secretary of the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan, Ezzatollah Jalalim denies Iran has nuclear weapons, saying, "Tehran has never and will never try to acquire nuclear weapons from other countries as Iran itself is capable of solving this problem relying on its own resources if the need should arise." --"Iranian Envoy In Azerbaijan Denies Tehran Has Nuclear Weapons," MPA (Baku), 9 January 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020109000141, 9
January 2002.
10 January 2002 Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, Hadi Najad-Hosseinian, writes a letter to the UN Secretary-General denying an Israeli statement that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. --"Iran: UN Envoy Rejects Israeli Allegation Of Seeking To Obtain Nuclear Arms," Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1 (Tehran), 10 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020110000022, 10 January 2002.
25 January 2002 Middle East Newsline reports that the United States is trying to prevent Russia from selling a second reactor to Iran. --"US Seeks to Stop Second Russian Nuke reactor in Iran," Middle East Newsline, 25 January 2002,
30 January 2002 The new Russian ambassador to Iran, Aleksandr Maryasov, denies that Russia is helping Iran acquire nuclear weapons. "What America and Israel are alleging is not true since we have never cooperated in the production of nuclear arms," he says. "These countries are only making baseless allegations. We should ignore these allegations," --"Iran: Russian Envoy on Afghanistan, Terrorism, US, Israel, Nuclear Power Plant," IRNA (Tehran), 30 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020206000065, 30 January 2002.
31 January 2002 Efraim Sneh, Israeli minister of transportation calls for sanctions against Iran so it will not have money to build nuclear arms. "The most important and maybe the most urgent thing," he says, "is to urge the Russian to stop the technological assistance, and especially for the Iranian nuclear project." --Steve Weizman, "Israeli Minister Urges US To Pressure Russia To Stop Helping Iran Develop Nuclear Arms," Associated Press, 31 January 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
Late January 2002 The CIA issues a report that says Iran "remains one of the most active countries seeking to acquire (weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional weapons) technology from abroad....In doing so, Tehran is attempting to develop a domestic capability to produce various types of weapons--chemical, biological, nuclear--and their delivery systems." --George Gedda, "US Says Iran Making Headway on Nuclear Weapons Program," Associated Press, 11 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
1 February 2002 Hasan Ruhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, says Iran is not building nuclear arms and that the International Atomic Energy Agency can investigate American allegations. --"Iran: Secretary of Security Council Says Bush Has No Proof For Remarks On Iran," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 1 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
2 February 2002 Aleksandr Losyukov, deputy Russian foreign minister, says the United States should not pressure Russia against helping Iran build the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "We have very clear instructions from the Russian leadership," he says, "to conduct cooperation within the framework of the existing international restricting regimes....One should have no ground to object against our contacts with Iran either in the political or trade and economic spheres." --"Russia Will Tolerate No Outside Pressure In Its Dealings With Iran--Official," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 2 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
3 February 2002 Russian intelligence sources say Iranian scientists being trained at the NIKIET Institute in Russia are acquiring knowledge that can used for Iran's nuclear weapons program. "They are here unofficially and have been told to keep as low a profile as possible," says the Russian intelligence source. "They are being taught and are gaining experience they cannot get at home. It is hardly a secret that the Iranians are in a race to develop nuclear weapons." --Sarah Baxter, Uzi Mahnaimi, Mark Franchetti, "Bush Trains His Military Sights on the Iran-Iraq 'Axis of Evil'," Sunday Times (London), 3 February 2002, in "Efforts to Cement Coalition Threatened by US Inclusion of Iran in Axis of Evil," FBIS Document EUP20020203000066, 3 February 2002.
4 February 2002 Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov says Russia will not limit its military or technical cooperation with Iran, including construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "The construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr meets all commitments that Russia has undertaken to the global community," he says. "I think I should mention that the United States is building a similar nuclear power plant in North Korea." --"Russian Defense Minister Defends Technical Aid For Iranian Nuclear Power Station," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 4 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
4 February 2002 Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani says if Israel attacks the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Israel "will receive a response, which no politician in Israel can even imagine." Asked if he means a nuclear response, Shamkhani says no, but says "actions will speak." He denies that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons or that Russia is supplying Iran with parts to enrich uranium. --"Interview With Iranian Defense Minister on Terrorism Charges, Nuclear Program," Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television (Doha), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020206000187, 5 February 2002.
5 February 2002 A senior Israeli defense source says, "We cannot live with nuclear weapons in Iran....We prevented the Iraqis in the past and we can also prevent them." --"'Senior Defense Source:' Israel 'Can Prevent' Nuclear Weapons in Iran," Ynet (Tel Aviv), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020206000124, 5 February 2002.
5 February 2002 Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani says it is not in Iran's interest to acquire nuclear weapons. "The presence of nuclear weapons with us," he says, "will turn us into a source of threat for others, which could be seriously exploited to harm our relations with the countries in the region." --"Iranian Defense Minister Shamkhani on Nuclear Weapons, US Military Presence, Other Issues," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020205000045, 5 February 2002.
5 February 2002 Ali Shamkhani, the Iranian Defense Minister, warns Israel against attacking the nuclear plant in Bushehr. He adds that the retaliation to such an act will be unimaginable. He also dismisses reports that Iran received shipment of enriched uranium-235 from Russia. --"Interview With Iranian Defense Minister on Terrorism Charges, Nuclear Program," Al Jazirah Satellite Channel (Doha), 5 February 2002; in FBIS document GMP20020206000187, 5 February 2002; "Iran: Us presence in Afghanistan a 'threat'," Deutsch Presse-Agentur 6 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
6 February 2002 CIA Director George Tenet testifies before a Senate hearing that Iran may be able to make enough fissile material for a bomb by 2010 or much sooner if Iran were to get fissile material elsewhere. --George Gedda, "US Says Iran Making Headway on Nuclear Weapons Program," Associated Press, 11 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
6 February 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, rejects allegations that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. --"Iran Says US Allegations Have Roots in Domestic Problems," IRNA (Tehran), 6 February 2002,
6 February 2002 The Sunday Times reports that the Russian Research and Planning Institute for Power Supply Technologies (NIKIET) is training a handful of Iranian engineers in technologies that can be used for the production of nuclear weapons. --Sarah Baxter and Mark Franchetti, "Russia, Iran run N-School Exchange," Sunday Times (London), 6 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.
7 February 2002 Gholam Reza Shafei, Iran's ambassador to Russia, rejects the US accusations that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. He adds that the Iranian-Russian agreement has no military dimension and that the International Atomic Energy Agency regularly visits the Bushehr reactor. --"IRNA: Envoy Rejects US Claims on Iran Seeking Nuclear Weapons," IRNA (Tehran), 7 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP20020207000091; 7 February 2002, "Russia: Iranian Envoy Denies Iran Intends to Develop, Purchase Nuclear Arms," Interfax (Moscow), 7 February 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020207000105, 8 February 2002.
7 February 2002 Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says Israel should not strike Iran's nuclear program, but should act through diplomatic channels and economic pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, which he says could happen in 2005. --"Ben-Eliezer Opposes Preemptive Military Strike On Iran's Nuclear Program Targets," Voice of Israel Network B (Jerusalem), 7 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020207000204,
7 February 2002.
8 February 2002 George Tenet, head of the CIA, says that Iran might be able to "produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of this decade...Obtaining material from outside could cut years from this estimate." John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org says that there is no evidence that Iran is building a reprocessing facility to produce weapon-grade plutonium. --John Diamond, "Israel: Iran Could Have Nuclear Arms in 5 Years, Defense Minister Calls Nation 'Twin' of Hussein's Iraq," Chicago Tribune, 8 February 2002.
11 February 2002 The Kolomensky Zavod holding company begins building diesel emergency power plants for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. According to the contract signed by Atomstroyeksport JSC [joint stock company], Iran will get four DGU6200 diesel generator plants, each including two 15-9DG diesel generators, plus one DGU-3100 plant, including one 15-9DG diesel generator. It is not clear if all the plants are destined for Bushehr. The plants, whose generators can each provide 3,100KW of electricity, are for emergency cooling of a nuclear reactor in an emergency, plus emergency power for the nuclear plant. Each diesel generator cost $700,000, and Iran has prepaid $2 million for the order in January 2002. The first diesel plant is to be delivered this year. [Note: See 3 January 2002.] --"Russia: Moscow Region Firm to Supply Emergency Units for Iran's Nuclear Plant," Agentstvo Voyennykh Novostey (Moscow), 11 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020211000087, 11 February 2002.
14 February 2002 Valeriy Lebedev, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, says spent Russian nuclear fuel from Russian-built plants abroad will be returned to Russia. He says Russia is committed to finishing the Bushehr nuclear power plant in late 2004 or early 2005. --"Russian to Take Back Spent Fuel from Nuclear Stations Abroad," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 14 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020214000089, 14 February 2002; "Official: Russia Committed to Completing Nuclear Reactor In Iran," Associated Press, 14 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
15 February 2002 US Vice President Dick Cheney says Iran is developing weapons of mass destruction. --"Russia Interested in Closer Ties with Iran--Radio," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 16 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
15 February 2002 Interfax reports that Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, will visit Moscow for a two-day visit starting 18 February 2002. The negotiations with Russian officials will focus on weapons of mass destruction, among other issues. --"Iranian Foreign Minister To Visit Russia Next Week," Interfax (Moscow), 15 February 2002; in FBIS document Russia: Iranian Foreign Minister to Pay 2-day Visit to Moscow 18 Feb," CEP20020215000207, 19 February 2002.
17 February 2002 Igor Ivanov, the Russian foreign minister, says that Moscow and Tehran are following a peaceful collaboration in the use of nuclear energy. --"Nuclear Cooperation Peaceful," Iran Daily (Tehran), 17 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP20020216000097, 17 February 2002.
18 February 2002 Viktor Kozlov, director general of Atomstroyeksport, says Russia and Iran are discussing building another nuclear power plant in Iran, and that Russian has given Iran a feasibility study of possible locations. [Note: See 4 September 2001.] --"Russia In Talks On Building Another Nuclear Power Plant In Iran," Interfax (Moscow), 18 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020218000056, 18 February 2002.
19 February 2002 Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi postpones a visit to Russia for "technical reasons." Among other issues, he was to discuss Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran. --Dina Pyanykh and Dmitry Vinitsky, "Iran FM Visit To Moscow Postponed "For Technical Reasons," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 19 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
19 February 2002 At a press conference following meetings with Russian officials in Moscow, John Bolton, US undersecretary of state, says he expressed US concerns over Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran. He says the two sides have differences over the issue and that is important the two sides come to an understanding. He says US President George Bush is very concerned about proliferation. Bolton says the United States will not compensate Russia if it were to give up construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant or halt conventional arms sales to Iran. --"USA Concerned Over Russian-Iranian Cooperation--Russian Paper," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 20 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
20 February 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Russian and Iranian officials cannot agree on the transfer of at least three additional nuclear reactors and other nuclear technology. Western diplomatic sources believe that this disagreement stands behind the delay of the visit of Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Kharazi to Moscow. Russian officials confirmed that Mr. Kharazi did not arrive in Moscow amid disagreement over some issues. Iran has complained after Russia decided to postpone the completion of the Bushehr nuclear reactor to 2005 instead of 2003 as initially agreed upon. Yet, Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, the company building the Bushehr nuclear reactor, says that his company has sent a feasibility study for new nuclear reactors in Iran. --"Iran, Russia Fall Out Over Nuke Program," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 72, 20 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.
21 February 2002 Valery Lebedev, Russian deputy atomic energy minister, says that Moscow plans to complete the construction of the Bushehr nuclear plant by late 2004 or 2005. He reiterates that Russia will not cancel its contract with Iran despite US pressure. --"Iran's Nuclear Reactor Again Set Back," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4 No 74, 21 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.
21 February 2002 Amin Tarzi, a senior analyst at the Center of Nonproliferation Studies, says, "The Iranian nuclear program is in shambles and the people who read all the intelligence know that." --Scott Peterson, "Iran's Nuclear Challenge: Deter, not Antagonize," Christian Science Monitor, 21 February 2002, http://www.csmonitor.cm.
25 February 2002 The Canadian Security Intelligence Service issues a report that says Iran is determined to acquire nuclear weapons and, according to US military and intelligence sources, has tried to develop the capability to enrich uranium by buying parts from Western European companies. --Stewart Ball, "'Axis' Harbours Nuclear Plan: CSIS: New Intelligence Report Says Iraq and Iran Want the Weapons 'At Earliest Opportunity'," National Post (Toronto), 26 February 2002, in "Canadian Intelligence Service Report Seen Bolstering US 'Axis of Evil' View," FBIS Document EUP20020227000171, 26 February 2002.
25 February 2002 Marianne, a weekly published in Paris, reports that the Russian minister of atomic energy has imposed severe restrictions on nuclear cooperation between Russia and Iran. The weekly adds that Russian scientists will leave Iran. Hamid Reza Asefi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, did not challenge the veracity of these reports but refused to confirm them. --"Are Russian Specialist Leaving Bushehr Power station?," Bonyan (Tehran),
25 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP 20020224000056, 26 February 2002.
26 February 2002 Hamida Edalat, MP from Bushehr, says "it is not true that Russian experts are leaving Iran after pressures were exerted by America." She adds that "parts of executive operation that were to be handed over to Iranians according to the contract are being handed over and the Russian experts are leaving the country for this reason." Hamid Reza Asefi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, says there has been no change in Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. Aleksandr Maryanov, Russian ambassador to Iran, says Russia will fulfill its obligation to build the Bushehr nuclear power plant. And "will be implementing in full all accords reached in connection with this project no matter what the prospects for expanding Russian-Iranian cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy might be." --"Deputy Denies Russians Leaving Iran Under US Pressure," Nowruz (Tehran),
26 February 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020226000034, 26 February 2002; "Russia To Honor Its Commitments in Building Iran Nuclear Plant," RIA-Novosti (Moscow), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020226000382, 26 February 2002; "Iranian FM Official: There Has Been No Change in Nuclear Coop With Moscow," IRAN (Tehran), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020226000098, 26 February 2002.
26 February 2002 The Iranian embassy in Georgia issues a statement denying claims by Levan Kidzinidze, former aid to Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, that with Abashidze's help, four physicists were sent to Iran in 1995 to help Iran develop nuclear weapon. The statement calls the claims "the figment of a sick imagination." [Note: See also 1995.] --"Iran Denies Former Georgian Official's Nuclear Program Claims," Kavkasia-Press (Tbilisi), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020226000312, 26 February 2002.
28 February 2002 The United States acknowledges that Russia has started efforts to stop the transfer of nuclear technology to Iran. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says that the Russians have punished entities involved in illicit activities with Iran. --"US Acknowledges Russia Efforts on Iran WMD," Middle East Newsline, 28 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the facility of Chalus is located 20 kilometers south of the town bearing the same name. It is allegedly an underground nuclear weapons development facility built in the Alborz mountains. Iranian authorities tell their citizens that the facility is an electricity generation plant operated by Canadians. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine is located in Karaj. The center reportedly has a radiochemistry lab, dosimeter lab, a Chinese calutron and a Belgian cyclotron. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Iran's civilian and military nuclear programs are headquartered in Tehran. The Tehran Nuclear Research Center has a 5MW nuclear research reactor. It also has a uranium yellowcake production facility. Tehran also hosts the AEOI center for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, which carries out research on nuclear physics and plasma physics. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin,
March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the Nuclear Research Department at the University of Yazd carries out geological research and mining in the Saghand uranium deposits. The deposits are believed to contain 5,000 tons of uranium oxide with a U-235 content between 0.08% and 1.0%. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Neka is allegedly a nuclear facility near the Caspian Sea. Reports claim that it is an underground facility. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the location of the Rudan Nuclear Research Center is near the city of Shiraz. The facility is believed to focus on uranium yellowcake processing into uranium hexafluoride gas. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that there are unconfirmed reports of a nuclear reactor in Tabas. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Isfahan is believed to be the center of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. The Nuclear Technology Research Center at the University of Isfahan allegedly employs 3,000 scientists. Isfahan is also home of a 27KW Chinese-supplied miniaturized neutron source reactor. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002,
3 March 2002 Russian radio reports that Iran and Russia are facing serious financial differences relevant to the construction of Bushehr nuclear power plant. The Russian Mignews Internet Agency quotes Russian diplomatic sources who say that Iran has not met its payment commitments. --"Russia and Iran Fall Out Over Nuclear Power Station," Ekho Moscovy Radio, 3 March 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020303000010, 21 June 2002.
4 March 2002 Yevgeniy Reshetnikov, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, denies the existence of any financial problems preventing the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. --"Russia: Official Denies Problems of Financing Iran's Nuclear project," Interfax (Moscow), 4 March 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020304000079, 21 June 2002.
5 March 2002 Iran and Russia reject allegations that Russian nuclear scientists have withdrawn from the Bushehr nuclear plant. --"Iran, Russia firm on Nuclear Cooperation," United Press International, 5 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
7 March 2002 Haaretz reports that China's ambassador to Israel, Pan Zhanlin, asserts that China opposes the spread of weapons of mass destruction and would punish any Chinese company exporting such technology. This statement was in response to allegations of Chinese exports of arms technology to Iran. --Gideon Alon, "China Opposes Proliferation of Nuclear Technology to Iran," Haaretz (Tel Aviv), 7 March 2002; in Gulf 2000, <
7 March 2002 Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, visits Iran to coordinate the Bushehr project. Atomstroyesksport signs contracts with Iranian subcontractors. It will soon start the installation of the already supplied material. --"Russian Nuclear Official Visits Iran to Coordinate Bushehr Project," RIA-Novosti (Moscow), 7 March 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020307000113, 21 June 2002.
11 March 2002 Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, says that Iran will decide on the construction of a second nuclear reactor in Bushehr by the end of this year. Iran will also choose the site for two new nuclear reactors in few months. --"Iran Will Decide on Second Russian Nuclear Power Plant by Year-End," Agence France Presse, 11 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis,
14 March 2002 UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan says there is no evidence that Iran is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. --"Iran Commentary Says Kofi Annan Exposed False US Allegations," Financial Times, 14 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis,
15 March 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that Russia will meet all the commitments to the nuclear power plant in Bushehr. --"Russian Nuclear Contract With Iran on Track, Further Ones Possible," British Broadcasting Corporation, 15 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
18 March 2002 In response to the US announcement of its new nuclear weapons strategy targeting seven states, including Iran, and hinting about an end to the moratorium on nuclear testing, Iran writes a letter of protest to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi writes, "US threats are a flagrant violation of its commitments to the [Nuclear] Non-Proliferation Treaty and go against guarantees given by US officials." --Agence France-Presse, 18 March 2002; in Gulf 2000, <
19 March 2002 Wolfgang Hoffman, the executive secretary of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, says that legal problems have prevented Iran from sending data to the organization. [Note: See 26 March and 15 April 2002.] --"Executive Secretary 'Optimistic' US Will Stick To Nuclear Moratorium," Der Standard (Vienna), 19 March 2002; in FBIS document EUP20020319000088, 21 June 2002.
21 March 2002 Nucleonics Week reports that Majid Teymuri, director of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, has said that the plant is four months behind its timetable because of ongoing adjustments in detailed design engineering. --"Bushehr 1 Plant Changes To Fit VVER Mean Startup in Early 2004," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 43, No. 12, 21 March 2002, http://www.mhenergy.com.
21 March 2002 The US Department of Defense reports that because of tight resources and a relatively less developed technological base, Iran is not likely to produce fissile material on its own. --Yekaterina Vladimirova, "Will Russia Give Weapons Of Mass Destruction to Third World Nations?" Utro.ru (Moscow), 21 March 2002; in "Russia Exodus of Scientists Raises Proliferation Concerns," FBIS document CEP20020404000303, 5 April 2002.
26 March 2002 The Guardian of London reports that Iran has withdrawn its contribution to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization to protest against US hostility to the treaty. [Note: See 19 March and 15 April 2002.] --Julian Borger and John Gittings, The Guardian (London), 26 March 2002,
26 March 2002 Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq reports that Iranians have transported loads of soil from Babak and Culfa districts in Azerbaijan. These regions are believed to be very rich in uranium. The newspaper reports that excavations took place at night. --"Iran smuggling Uranium From Azeri Excalve," British Broadcasting Corporation (London), 26 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis, http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.
27 March 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia may supply nuclear fuel to Iran on the condition that the fuel be returned to Russia for reprocessing. --"Russia to Supply Nuclear Fuel to Iran on Condition of its return for reprocessing-Atomic Ministry," Interfax, 27 March 2002; in http://cnsinfo.miis.edu.
28 March 2002 Inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency find no evidence that Iran is using its nuclear reactor for military purposes. --"IAEA fails to Find Evidence of Iran's Nuclear Weapon Program,"
28 March 2002 IRNA reports that Mohammed Javad Zarif, Iran's deputy foreign minister, regrets the failure of efforts made by the international community to eliminate weapons of mass destruction and offer guaranties to non-nuclear states for their security. --"Iran Calls for Global Efforts to Secure Disarmament Success," Xinhua General News Agency (Beijing), 28 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
28 March 2002 A Russian diplomat says that the world community does not have any solid evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. --Vladimir Suprun, "Russia Expert Sees no proof of Iran Nuke Military Program," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 28 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.
29 March 2002 Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh says that Ukraine had severe economic losses because it complied with the United States and did not sell nuclear reactors to Iran. Yet, it is getting nothing in return. Officials at the state-owned Turboatom say that the Ukrainian nuclear industry lost $1.5 billion because it agreed not to sell the reactor to Iran. --"Ukraine's Premier Complains of Poor US Support," Deutsch Presse-Agentur, 29 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
1 April 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign affairs minister, visits Moscow after his planned visit was postponed following divergence between Iran and Russia. [Note: See 18 February 2002.] This visit comes amid US pressure on Russia to stop its cooperation with Iran in the nuclear and missile fields. Mr. Kharazi is expected to discuss the completion of the Bushehr nuclear plant construction. --"Russia Receives Iranian Envoy, Faces Down US Over Nuke Plant,"
2 April 2002 Alexander Kudryavtsev, Russian Atomic Energy Minister, says that despite Russian and Iranian divergence over payment schedule and technical specification, the cooperation between Iran and Russia will continue. He adds that 5,000 tons of material has been shipped to Bushehr. Iran has requested the construction of three new nuclear reactors. However, Russia has not agreed to the request yet. Iran cancelled a visit of its foreign affairs minister after Putin refused to meet with him. --"Russia Transfers equipment for Bushehr" Middle East Newsline Vol. 4, No. 123, 2 April 2002,
4 April 2002 Kamal Kharazi, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, says that the cooperation agenda between Iran and Russia includes completing the construction of the nuclear power station in Bushehr. --"Russia and Iran Negotiate Completion of Nuclear Plant construction," Interfax (Moscow), 4 April 2002.
4 April 2002 Alexander Lusyukov, Russian Deputy Atomic Energy Minister, says that Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation will not be at the expense of other countries. He also rejects US and Israeli allegations that the Russian-Iranian cooperation will put Iran in a position to produce nuclear weapons. --"Moscow: Nuclear and Military Cooperation with Tehran is not aimed at any other Country's Interests," Asharq Alawsat (London), 4 April 2002,
4 April 2002 The British Broadcasting Corporation reports that Iran and Russia are discussing the construction of a second unit at the Bushehr power plant. Victor Kozlov, director of Atomstroyeksport, says, "guided by the results of work on the first power unit, the sides are now discussing a possibility of completing construction of the second unit." He adds that the construction contract might be signed in the coming two years. --"Iran, Russia Discuss Building 2nd Unit at Bushehr Power Plant," British Broadcasting Corporation (London) 4 April 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.
5 April 2002 Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, rejects US allegations that Russia has supplied dual-use items to Iran. --"Russian Foreign Minister rejects US Claims of Dual-Purpose Supplies To Iran" Interfax (Moscow) 5 April 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020405000142, 8 April 2002.
15 April 2002 Fayruz Hassini, Iran's representative at the United Nations in Vienna, denies allegations that Iran has stopped cooperating with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. He says that Iran was among the first signatory countries. [Note: See 19 and 26 March 2002.] --"Iran denies stopping cooperation with Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization," Asharq Alawsat (London) 4 April 2002,
20 April 2002 The deputy Russian atomic energy minister says that Russia has decided to complete the nuclear reactor in Bushehr. He adds that all necessary documents for the construction of two other new reactors have been prepared. --"Iran: Russian Official Says Documents For Another Two Nuclear Reactors Ready," Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 20 April 2002, http://cnsinfo.miis.edu.
23 April 2002 John Wolf, US assistant secretary of state, says that the United States failed to stop Russian nuclear assistance to Iran. --"US Fails to Stop Russian Nuke AID To Iran," Middle East Newsline, 23 April 2002, http://www.menl.com.
26 April 2002 Interfax reports that the Leningradsky Metallichesky Zavod [Leningrad Metal Factory] has manufactured basic parts of the 1,000MW turbine to be installed in Bushehr. --"Leningrad Company Manufacturing Parts For Nuclear Power Plant in Iran," Interfax (Moscow) 26 April 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020426000006, 21 June 2002.
27 April 2002 The construction of the main component of the 1,000MW nuclear power plant is complete. The turbine will be tested soon. A Russia official says that despite US pressure, the nuclear power plant in Bushehr will be operational in 2003. --"Iran: First Bushehr Nuclear Power Station to become operational in 2003," Voice of The Islamic Republic of Iran, Radio 1 (Tehran), 27 April 2002, in FBIS document IAP20020427000001, 21 June 2002.
2 May 2002 The general director of the Russian nuclear organization says that the financial problems between Russia and Iran that were facing the completion of the Bushehr power plant have been resolved. --"IAEA Deems Iran's Nuclear Activities Peaceful," Tehran Times (Tehran), 2 May 2002, http://www.tehrantimes.com.
6 May 2002 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says that Russia is ready to resolve US concerns about the Russian Nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Ivanov Says Russia is Ready to resolve US Concern over Nuclear Cooperation with Iran," RIA-Novosti 6 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020507000008 24 June 2002.
9 May 2002 The Bush administration decides to impose new penalties on Chinese, Armenian, and Moldavian companies believed to be assisting Iran's weapon of mass destruction program. These entities are Lizen Open Joint Stock Company and Armen Sargasian, Armenia; LiyangYunlong, Aka Liyang Chemical Equipment Company, Zibo Chenmical Equipment Plant, Aka Chemet Global Ltd, China Mational Machinery and Electric Equipment Import and Export, Wha Cheong Tai Comapny, China Shipbuilding Trading Company, The China Precision Machinsery Import/Export Corporation, The China National Aero-Technology Import and Export, QC Chen, China; Cuanta SA, Mikhail Pavlovitch, Moldova. --"US to Penalize Foreign Firms Over Iran ties," New York Times, 9 May 2002; Federal Register Vol. 67, No. 95, 16 May 2002.
10 May 2002 Russian officials of the foreign ministry and Atomic Energy Ministry visit Washington to lessen the worries of the American administration with respect to the Russian-Iranian cooperation. They will also offer a new plan for cooperation with the United States regarding the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. --"Minatom Chief in America To Lower Pulses Over Iranian Nuke Plant," Bellona Report vol. 3-2001, 10 May 2002
10 May 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr remains "a sensitive topic." He stresses that the reactor cannot be used for the production of nuclear weapons. --Charles Digges, "Russian Nuke Minister Says US Tensions Easing Over Iranian Nuke Plant," Bellona, 10 May 2002,
10 May 2002 The Washington Times reports that Iran has moved air defense missiles to its nuclear facilities. These missiles consist of several batteries of US-made Hawk missiles that have been improved and are now dubbed I-Hawks and are deployed around the Bushehr area. --Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, "Inside the Ring," Washington Times, 10 May 2002, http://www.washingtontimes.com.
13 May 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that Russia and the United States must reach an agreement regarding Russia's nuclear cooperation with Iran. He adds that the Russian cooperation with Iran is respectful of international regulations and that Iran has signed all the documents required by the International Atomic Energy Agency and that the IAEA has carried out more that 60 inspections in Iran without finding any proof of any illegal activities. --"Atomic Energy Ministry Is Counting on The US to Understand Russia's Position on Cooperation with Iran," Interfax (Moscow), 13 May 2002.
13 May 2002 Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov says that the United States should refrain from making unfounded allegations about Russia's peaceful nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Ivanov Urges US To Refrain From sullying Iran-Russia Nuke Cooperation," IRNA (Tehran), 13 May 2002.
13 May 2002 Vladimir Orlov, Director of the PIR Center for Political Studies, says that the Russian government has instructed institutes to limit contacts with Iranian scientists and that any training offered should be explicitly approved by the security services. Analysts from PIR say that the aim of Iran is to accumulate expertise to build nuclear weapons. --"Lax Nuke Control Casts Shadows on US-Russia Partnership," Dow Jones Newswire, 13 May 2002.
14 May 2002 Richard Perle, chairman of the Defense Policy Board, says that Russia's Soviet-era debt should be forgiven. Such action might help persuade Russia to stop its nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Debt Relief May Wean Russia from Iran, US Official," Reuters, 14 May 2002; in
15 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Iranian Majlis Energy Commission, calls upon the International Atomic Energy Agency to prevent propaganda against Iran's peaceful nuclear programs. In a meeting with Werner Burkart, IAEA deputy director, Afarideh points out the IAEA positive reports about Iran and the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. Afarideh invites Burkart and IAEA high officials to visit nuclear facilities in Iran, including Bushehr. --"Iran: Majles Official Urges IAEA to Thwart propaganda against Nuclear Programs," IRNA (Tehran), 15 May 2002, http://www.irna.com.
15 May 2002 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says that Russia and the United States are still in disagreement concerning the transfer of sensitive equipment to Iran. --"US, Russia Disagree on Iran: Powell," Agence France Presse, 15 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
16 May 2002 The Jerusalem Post reports that the Israeli government is lobbying the US administration to put the Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation at the top of the agenda of the discussion of Presidents Bush and Putin. --Herb Keinon, "Israel Wants Iran Nukes on Agenda of Bush-Putin Summit," Jerusalem Post, 16 May 2002.
17 May 2002 The United States claims that Kvant Company, based in Chisinau, Moldova, helped Iran produce nuclear weapons. The company was founded in 1950 and specialized in electronic military equipment. It went bankrupt in 2001. --"US Says Moldova Helped Iran Produce Weapons of Mass Destruction," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 17 May 2002, Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
17 May 2002 The Iranian embassy in Yerevan protests US allegations that Armenian entities have transferred nuclear technology to Iran. The embassy claims that not one Armenian-Iranian joint-venture is engaged in developing high military technology. --"Armenia: Iranian Embassy Rejects US Allegation Over Transfer of High Technology," Financial Times (London), 17 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
21 May 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Russia plans to start operating the first unit of the Iran nuclear power plant by the end of 2003. --"Russia Pledges To Continue Bushehr," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 187, 21 May 2002,
22 May 2002 Anton Khlopkov, a Russian security expert, says that the Russian technology transferred to Iran in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr cannot be used for the development of nuclear weapons. --Anatoly Yurkin, "Russian Technologies Supplied To Iran Unfit for Making Nuclear Weapons," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 22 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020522000305, 24 June 2002.
24 May 2002 Maxim Shingarkin, a leading Russia nuclear expert, says that the reactor sold to Iran, a VVER-1000, can be used to produce nuclear weapons grade plutonium irrespective of IAEA inspections. He says that the reactor produces neutrons. Even if Iran returns the spent fuel to Russia, they will be able to produce plutonium with such a reactor. --"Russian Warns Bushehr Could BE Used for Nukes," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 192, 24 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.
24 May 2002 US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says that Iran's goal behind acquiring nuclear technology is clear. Iran is trying to develop "the full spectrum" of weapons of mass destruction, he says. --"Rumsfeld Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'unambiguous'," Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Washington), 24 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
24 May 2002 Yevgeny Reshetnikov, Russian deputy atomic energy minister, says that Iran "cannot and will not use for any ends enriched nuclear fuel" from the Bushehr reactor. The fuel will be shipped back to Russia. --Eric Helque, "Putin Rebuffs US Concern Over Iran Nuclear Threat," Agence France Presse, 24 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
24 May 2002 General Yuri Baluyevsky, Russian deputy chief of staff, says that Iran has received tactical nuclear weapons from a country other than Russia. [Note: He may be referring to Kazakhstan. See March 1993 entry.] --"Iran, Russia Again Argue Over Nukes," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 207, 24 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.
25 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, the Russian atomic energy minister, says he is pleased by the US-Russia summit. Yet he acknowledges that Russia failed to eliminate US concerns over the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. He says that the creation of a joint Russian-US group of experts constitutes an additional step towards the signing of a bilateral treaty on the peaceful use of atomic energy. He adds that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr does not mean the transfer of technologies to Iran and that the plant will be supervised for at least 10 years by Russia and will be subject to the same security measures in Russia. --"Rumyantsev Sees Russo-US Nuclear Expert Groups as Step to Atomic Energy Treaty," Nuclear.ru (Moscow) 25 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020531000149, 25 May 2002; "Russia Nuclear Minister Pleased With summit, though Iran remains an Issue," Interfax (Moscow), 25 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020525000111, 24 June 2002.
26 May 2002 US President Bush announces that Russia has proposed international inspections, possibly by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of the nuclear plant it is helping build in Iran to assuage US fears that the facility might help Tehran produce atomic weapons. Bush says that Russian President Putin will put pressure on Iran so that it allows international inspections of its Russian-made nuclear reactor. --Ron Hutcheson, "Putin Offers Inspectors in Iran," Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 May 2002, <
26 May 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, approves of Russia's defense of the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation during US President George Bush's visit to Moscow. --"Iran Welcomes Russia's Defense Of Tehran-Moscow Nuclear Cooperation," IRNA (Tehran), 26 May 2002; in FBIS document 2002052600039, 26 May 2002.
26 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that a Russian delegation will fly to Tehran to discuss the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Iranian nuclear reactor in Bushehr. --"Russian Delegation in Iran Soon To discuss Nuclear Fuel Delivery," Agence France Presse (Paris), 26 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis,
27 May 2002 Israeli security sources say that Israel is examining a possible attack on the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, in the same way it bombed the Iraqi reactor in 1981. --"Al Qanat: Israel May Attack Iran's Nuclear Reactor," Al Qanat (Cairo), 27 May 2002; in FBIS document 20020527000075, 24 June 2002.
27 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Iranian Majlis Energy Commission, says that the International Atomic Energy Agency has planned 70 visits to the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the next year. He adds that the construction of the plant is going well and that about 1,000 Russian experts are at the site. --"IAEA to Inspect Iranian Nuclear Plant," Reuters, 27 May 2002; in http://www.iranexpert.com.
28 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Majlis energy commission, says that the construction of the Bushehr nuclear reactor will be undertaken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Melissa Fleming, spokesperson of the IAEA says that IAEA representatives have visited the nuclear plant before and that once nuclear materials are supplied to the plant, four to six visits will be carried out a year. --"Iranian Nuclear Plant to be Built under IAEA Supervision,"
IRNA 28 May 2002, http://www.irna.com.
28 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia will train 100 Iranian engineers to operate at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He adds that the nuclear plant will be operational in 2004/2005 and the next six years will be a transitional period. During this period, Russian and Iranian expert will run the facility. --"Russia to Train 100 Iranian engineers to Operate Bushehr-1 Nuclear Plant," Interfax (Moscow), 28 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020528000137, 24 June 2002; "Russia will Train 100 Iranian Engineer working at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant," Asharq al Awsat (London) 29 May 2002 http://www.asharqalawsat.com.
30 May 2002 Muhammad Jawad Zarif, the Iranian deputy foreign minister, and Russian Foreign Mnistry official Georgy Mamedov meet concerning non-proliferation issues. --"Russia and Iran Engage in First Non-proliferation Talks," Agence France Presse, 30 May 2002; in Iran Expert,
31 May 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Iran and Russia are believed to be in disagreement about tighter International Atomic Energy Agency inspections to nuclear sites in Iran. Iran opposes the Russian proposal for tighter inspections. Russia is trying to ensure that Iran cannot use the Russian built facilities to produce nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have not signed a protocol that will allow a more comprehensive inspection of nuclear site that will unveil if a facility has any secret activities. [Note: See 28 July 1997 and 1 June 2000 for more on Iran and the Additional Protocol.] --"Iran, Russia Disagree on Tighter IAEA Controls," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 202, 31 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.
10 June 2002 Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asifi rejects the remarks of General Yuri Baluyevsky, Russian deputy chief of staff, that Iran has the equipment to produce nuclear weapons. He adds that the Russian official was not aware of Iran's peaceful nuclear program. --"Iran Rejects Reports on Nuke Weapons, reiterates IAEA Pledge," IRNA (Tehran), 10 June 2002,
16 June 2002 Hassan Ruhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, says that Iran will respect the Non-Proliferation Treaty. --"Iran says it Abides by Non-Proliferation Treaty," IRNA, 16 June 2002, http://www.irna.com.
21 June 2002 The Christian Science Monitor reports that the United States believes that Iran is "gaining sensitive Russian technology that will help Tehran's hard-line mullahs acquire nuclear weapons and delivery systems" through its collaboration with Russia on the Bushehr nuclear facility. Vladimir Orlov, head of the Moscow think tank, the PIR Center, disagrees with this assessment. Orlov says, "There is practically zero risk that Iran will use the Bushehr power plant for nuclear proliferation" due to the fact that Russia itself will supply the fuel and will immediately return the spent fuel to Russia, eliminating Iran from the nuclear-fuel cycle. A US official claims that Russia is providing Iran with technology for isotope separation using laser technology, the article says. --Scott Peterson, "Russian Nuclear Know-How Pours into Iran," Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2002, p. 1; in Gulf 2000, <
21 June 2002 Robert Nigmatulin, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, says that Iran does not have the technology to separate plutonium from irradiated nuclear fuel and will not be able to develop such technology on its own. --"Russian officials Vow to Complete Iranian Nuclear Power Station," Financial Times, (London) 21 June 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.
24 June 2002 Deputy Atomic Energy Minister Valery Lebedev says that spent fuel from an Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant would be returned to Russia, countering worries that Iran could use the fuel to develop nuclear weapons. The statement was in response to claims from Greenpeace International that the waste would remain in Iran. According to Lebedev, "Russia will definitely observe the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency under which spent fuel will return to the country supplying the fuel." --Agence France-Presse, 24 June 2002; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.
25 June 2002 M. Dimitriov, Russian deputy defense minister, rejects allegations that Russia and Iran cooperate on unconventional weapons. He says that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr complies with international laws and regulations. --"Russia rejects That Cooperation With Iran is 'Unconventional'," IRNA (Tehran), 25 June 2002.
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