Foreign Ministry: IAEA report proves Iran still developing nuclear weapons
Israel says report released Friday by International Atomic Energy Agency validates international community's concerns over Tehran's ongoing pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Iranian President Ahmadinejad touts report as 'victory over West,' says UN sanctions meaningless
Israel on Saturday issued its first official response to the report released on Friday by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "The IAEA report concludes that Iran is involved in activities key to the
development of a nuclear weapon," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a written statement.
The report asserted that while Iran was being more open with IAEA monitors than before, Iran was still pursing means to speed up their enrichment of uranium.
"The report reiterates and validates the concerns voiced by Israel and the international community that Iran continues to strive for a nuclear weapon," said the statement, adding that the IAEA confirmed that Iran is still enriching uranium and engaging in other activities that violate the resolutions set by the UN Security Council.
The report, the ministry said, strengthens Israel's belief that there exists a need to pursue a comprehensive investigation of Iran's nuclear activities. "Since Iran continues to place obstacles in the IAEA's path and abides by its insubordination continues to violate the Security Council's resolutions.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni has instructed Israeli embassies around the world to continue making the case for tightening sanctions against Iran. Israel has demanded that the UN Security Council convene in the near future to discuss additional sanctions.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that the UN now has a "very strong case" for imposing more sanctions. She said the new report shows Tehran has failed to fully cooperate with UN atomic investigators, a good reason for the Security Council to consider a third round of sanctions.
Iran: US should apologize
Meanwhile on Saturday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad touted the report as a victory over the West and demanded the United States and its allies apologize to Tehran over claims made against the country's nuclear program.
''The best way for the to compensate for their mistakes ... (is) to apologize and pay compensation,'' said Ahmadinejad in a televised address.
Ahmadinejad also said another round of UN sanctions would be meaningless. "If they want to continue with that path (of sanctions), we will not be harmed. They can issue resolutions for 100 years," he told state television.
"If they continue (with this pressure), we have designed reciprocal actions," he said without elaborating. He said those leading the bid to impose sanctions could not "bring the Iranian nation to its knees."
Dudi Cohen, Amnon Meranda, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report
