DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./FRANCE/IRAN: THE FRENCH THINK THAT IRAN IS CONTINUING THEIR PURSUIT OF NUKES

France: Iran Still Pursuing Nuclear Arms

WASHINGTON — French Defense Minister Herve Morin cast doubt on reports that Iran had halted its suspected nuclear weapons drive, speaking Jan. 31 on a visit to Washington.

“Coordinated information from a number of intelligence services leads us to believe that Iran has not given up its wish to pursue its [nuclear] program,” and is “continuing to develop” it, Morin told reporters.

The U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, a consensus finding of all 16 U.S. spy agencies, released last month, said that Tehran shelved its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

It also noted, however, that Tehran has refused to suspend uranium enrichment, which can be a key step toward a nuclear arsenal.

Morin said France wanted the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, to “continue carrying out all the necessary investigations” into Iran’s nuclear activities.

Iran has insisted these are aimed at generating power for civilian purposes.

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Pertinent Links:

1) France: Iran Still Pursuing Nuclear Arms