Iran seeks data on nuclear weapons

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VIENNA, Austria -- Iran has been combing Europe and former Soviet states for materials and expertise for potential use in making atomic bombs, according to a leaked intelligence report likely to heighten tensions over Tehran's nuclear drive.

British, French, German and Belgian agencies pooled findings in a 55-page report used to brief governments of the European Union, three of which are conducting talks with Iran in an effort to rein in its nuclear-fuel development program.

The intelligence document, dated July 1, said a large and sophisticated web of Iranian straw companies, academic institutes and middlemen were focusing on Europe and ex-Soviet republics to acquire nuclear technology and know-how.

Asked about the report, which was leaked to Britain's Guardian newspaper, diplomats close to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cautioned that it offered no evidence that Iran was obtaining products of exclusive use in building nuclear weapons.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said the Guardian story was designed to "negatively affect Iran's transparent measures and its cooperation with the IAEA."

Iran, which said Tuesday that it would soon end a voluntary suspension of its atomic fuel research, maintains that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.

But the existence of the intelligence report was confirmed to Reuters yesterday by a European diplomat who had seen a summary.

"The names of the Iranian companies change every month. Europe is the ideal place for them because it has so many medium- and small-sized companies highly specialized in relevant fields," the diplomat said.

"They are also beyond state controls and lack the understanding that their products, such as medical equipment, have a 'dual use' for both civilian and military applications."

Mr. Asefi accused Iran's enemies, including Israel, of planting the story in the press.