Letter: Iran's nuclear program

The report in the Financial Times on Feb. 20 that Iran has "built up a stockpile of enough enriched uranium for one nuclear bomb" gives cause for concern but should not be misconstrued as evidence that Iran is either developing a weapons capability or has breached any of her international obligations.

Indeed, the story is based on a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which also states that Iran has considerably slowed down the expansion of its contested uranium enrichment program.

Whilst the report finds that Iran has enriched more uranium than the IAEA had previously thought, it must be emphasized that the uranium in question is enriched to a low grade, suitable only for nuclear energy purposes.

The uranium is not a "stockpile" that has been produced clandestinely but part of Iran's ongoing nuclear program that has been inspected by the IAEA in their routine inspection regime.

There is also no evidence that Iran is attempting to further enrich the uranium to weapons grade and any attempt to produce fissile material would require a major reconfiguration of its existing nuclear plants, which would be highly visible and take several months.

Whilst serious outstanding questions remain around Iran's nuclear activities, the fact remains that there is no evidence that Iran has a nuclear weapons program. The best way to ensure that this remains the case is by continued intrusive inspections and increased constructive engagement.

When Barack Obama spoke recently of developing "constructive dialogue" with Iran,

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded the next day saying Iran "is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere."

These are early days, but thirty years after the Islamic Revolution, a thaw in relations between Iran and America is long overdue and vital to the future peace of the Middle East.

Stefan Simanowitz
London