logo
IAEA chief says information obtained by Iran 'seem to refer' to Israeli nuclear research site

IAEA chief says information obtained by Iran 'seem to refer' to Israeli nuclear research site

VIENNA — The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday that the information Iran claimed it seized regarding Israel's nuclear program 'seems to refer' to the country's Soreq Nuclear Research Center, the first acknowledgment outside of Tehran of the theft .
The office of Israel's prime minister had no immediate response on the remarks by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi , who spoke during a news conference in Vienna.
The alleged theft comes at a time of renewed tensions over Iran's nuclear program, which enriches uranium a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels and looks poised to reject a U.S. proposal over a possible deal on its atomic program .
'We have seen some reports in the press. We haven't had any official communication about this,' Grossi told reporters. 'In any case, this seems to refer to Soreq, which is a research facility which we inspect by the way. We don't inspect other strategic parts of the program, but this part of the program we do inspect.'
He did not elaborate on where he received his information, though the IAEA maintains a confidential reporting system for nations to report security incidents involving their nuclear programs.
Soreq, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Tel Aviv, is a national laboratory for nuclear science established in Israel in 1958, engaged in nuclear science, radiation safety and applied physics.
The IAEA has so-called 'item-specific safeguards agreements' with Israel, Pakistan and India, all countries that are not party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Under Israel's agreement, the IAEA monitors Soreq but has no access to Israel's nuclear facility at Dimona , believed to provide the fuel for Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program.
Over the weekend Iranian state television and later the country's intelligence minister claimed without offering evidence that Tehran seized an 'important treasury' of information regarding Israel's nuclear program.
Israel, whose undeclared atomic weapons program makes it the only country in the Mideast with nuclear bombs, has not acknowledged any such Iranian operation targeting it — though there have been arrests of Israelis allegedly spying for Tehran amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip .
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib claimed thousands of pages of documents had been obtained which would be made public soon. Among them were documents related to the U.S., Europe and other countries which, he claimed, had been obtained through 'infiltration' and 'access to the sources.'
He did not elaborate on the methods used. However, Khatib, a Shiite cleric, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2022 over directing 'cyber espionage and ransomware attacks in support of Iran's political goals.'
For Iran, the claim may be designed to show the public that the theocracy was able to respond to a 2018 Israeli operation that spirited out what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a 'half ton' of documents related to Iran's program.
That Israeli announcement came just before President Donald Trump in his first term unilaterally withdrew America from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which greatly limited its program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
This week, Western nations are expect to go before the IAEA's Board of Governors with a proposal to find Iran in noncompliance with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. It could be the first time in decades — and likely would kick the issue to the U.N. Security Council.
That could see one of the Western countries involved in the 2015 nuclear deal invoke the so-called 'snapback' of U.N. sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The authority to restore those sanctions by the complaint of any member of the original 2015 nuclear deal expires in October — putting the West on a clock to exert pressure on Tehran over its program before losing that power.
___
Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation . The AP is solely responsible for all content.
___
Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

OPEC boss slams net-zero targets, promotes big future for oil in Calgary speech
OPEC boss slams net-zero targets, promotes big future for oil in Calgary speech

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

OPEC boss slams net-zero targets, promotes big future for oil in Calgary speech

The secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says the world's thirst for oil will continue for decades to come and investment in the sector is necessary to meet those needs. Haitham al-Ghais made his remarks in a speech to the Global Energy Show in Calgary on Tuesday, at a time when oil prices are sagging and experts predict they could fall further later this year. "Simply put, ladies and gentlemen, there is no peak in oil demand on the horizon. The fact that oil demand keeps rising, hitting new records year on year, is a clear example of what I'm saying," he said in his speech. Primary energy demand is forecast to rise by 24 per cent between now and 2050, he said, surpassing 120 million barrels of oil a day. Currently, oil demand is around 103 million barrels per day. "Meeting this ever-rising demand will only be possible with adequate and timely and necessary investments in the oil industry," he said, pointing to the need for $17.4 trillion US in investment over the next 25 years. Praise for Alberta oil and gas The secretary-general used his speech to compliment Alberta's oil and gas industry for its ability to grow production over the years, its technological improvements, and its role as a leader in developing carbon capture and storage facilities. He concluded his address by stating OPEC takes climate change "very, very seriously," and each of its member countries have signed on to the Paris climate accord. Still, he criticized net-zero targets by companies and countries as "unrealistic," "fixated on deadlines" and "detached from reality." Instead, he said the world should be focused on reducing emissions and using all forms of energy to meet the needs of the world's growing population. In 2024, emissions from the energy sector grew by 0.8 per cent compared to 2023, according to the International Energy Agency, while the global economy expanded by more than three per cent. In Canada, the federal government is already on pace to miss its 2030 target to cut carbon emissions by at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Challenging times The speech comes at a time when the oilpatch is confronting weak commodity prices and many companies are pulling back on investment. OPEC countries are producing more this year, along with more output from Canada, the U.S. and Guyana. Last month, the Vienna-based cartel agreed to raise output by 411,000 barrels a day in June, speeding up the gradual return of 2.2 million barrels a day. For context, Canada produces about five million barrels per day in total. At the same time, global consumption of oil is not rising as initially expected because of slowing global trade. "Demand is not falling, but we are in a period where demand growth is weak. In fact, if you take out the COVID year of 2020, the global financial crisis of '08-'09, this looks like it could be the weakest year of growth since 2001," said Jim Burkhard, global head of crude oil research with S&P Global Commodity Insights, in an interview with CBC News. Big drop forecasted North American oil prices are averaging about $65 US per barrel in recent days, but S&P's latest oil forecast released this week anticipates prices could fall into the high-$40s per barrel later this year. "We could see a significant difference in price by the end of the year compared with where we are right now. A lot depends on the economy, of course, and the concern about tariffs and OPEC+ can alter their decisions at any time. But right now, on current trends, it looks like there's going to be a lot more supply relative to demand later this year," he said. More than 30,000 people from 100 countries are expected to attend the Global Energy Show in Calgary this week.

Syria orders women to cover up on beaches with conservative new dress code
Syria orders women to cover up on beaches with conservative new dress code

CNN

time37 minutes ago

  • CNN

Syria orders women to cover up on beaches with conservative new dress code

Syria issued a conservative new dress code Tuesday requiring women to wear burkinis or full-body swimwear on all public beaches, the latest cultural shift since Islamist-led rebels toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime last December. The Tourism Ministry said the new guidelines were made in 'the requirements of public interest.' 'Visitors to public beaches and pools, whether tourists or locals, are required to wear appropriate swimwear that takes into account public taste and the sensibilities of various segments of society,' Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani said in a directive posted to Facebook. 'More modest swimwear is required at public beaches and pools (burkinis or swimsuits that cover more of the body),' said the directive, adding, 'When moving between the beach and other places, it is necessary to wear a beach cover-up or loose-fitting robe (for women) over swimsuits.' Men are required to wear shirts under the new guidance, which says that 'topless clothing is not permitted in public areas outside of swimming areas, hotel lobbies, and food service areas.' 'In public areas outside of beaches and pools, it is preferable to wear loose clothing, covering shoulders and knees, and avoid transparent or overly tight clothing,' according to the directive. However, the ministry said that in resorts and hotels 'classified as international and premium (4-star)' and in private beaches and swimming pools 'typical Western swimwear is permitted.' It's unclear what repercussions people who do not follow the guidelines will face, but the ministry said that 'lifeguards and beach supervisors' would monitor people to ensure compliance. The new regulations reflect the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist coalition now leading Syria's transitional government. Formerly known as Al-Nusra Front, HTS is designated as a terrorist group by the US and UK. Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who signed the dress-code directive, led HTS in the lightning offensive that led to the fall of Assad, whose regime had been in power for several decades. In March, al-Sharaa signed an interim constitution mandating Islamist rule for a transitional phase of five years. Al-Sharaa said in December that rewriting Syria's constitution might take three years, with elections potentially taking place within five years. The US-based Human Rights Watch said in March that Al-Sharaa's 'broad authority raises serious concerns about the durability of the rule of law and human rights protections unless clear safeguards are put in place.' Tourism Minister al-Salhani, who recently courted Qatari and Saudi investors for tourism projects worth 'billions of dollars,' framed the rules as respecting Syria's cultural, social, and religious diversity.' The announcement comes amid a push to revive Syria's tourism industry following the lifting of US sanctions in May 2025 – a move US President Donald Trump described as a 'chance at greatness' for Syria.

Iran warns against IAEA pressure, Israel attack as more US talks loom
Iran warns against IAEA pressure, Israel attack as more US talks loom

Yahoo

time39 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Iran warns against IAEA pressure, Israel attack as more US talks loom

Tehran, Iran – Iran has warned against Western-led escalation by the global nuclear watchdog and any attack by Israel amid preparations for a sixth round of talks with the United States. Behrouz Kamalvandi, the deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said the country will have a 'proportionate' response to any action against it by Western countries, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'If we wanted to reduce our cooperation, the agency would not be able to carry out its duties. We have cooperated beyond our duties, and if the agency does not appreciate that, we will degrade cooperation to its normal levels,' Kamalvandi told Iranian state television late Monday. His comments come as the IAEA Board of Governors is holding a five-day meeting in Vienna, with Iran's nuclear programme once again in the spotlight as Tehran is accused of 'non-compliance' with nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Backed by the United States, the three European powers still party to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal – France, Germany and the United Kingdom – are pushing for yet another censure resolution against Iran for insufficient cooperation. The latest resolution, however, could prove the most serious in two decades and signal a shift toward escalated confrontation. The 2015 deal lifted United Nations sanctions in exchange for strict curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, including a 3.67 percent limit on its enrichment of uranium. US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the landmark nuclear accord in 2018 and imposed harsh sanctions. But the European signatories to the nuclear deal could still activate a 'snapback' mechanism baked into the 2015 deal that would reinstate all United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran lifted as part of the agreement. A strongly worded IAEA resolution could pave the way for that to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi again warned this week that such a move would signal 'another major strategic mistake' on the part of France, Germany and the UK. Araghchi said the European powers appear poised to ratchet up tensions again by reviving an investigation into Iran's developing nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's insistence that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful. Iranian authorities have for long emphasised that the country could abandon the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) – designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons – and cut off access to IAEA inspectors if the UN sanctions are reimposed. The IAEA scrutiny also involves traces of nuclear particles found in several undeclared Iranian sites, mainly based on intelligence from Israel – which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted were obtained as part of a major 2018 raid on a warehouse holding documents in Tehran. Iran's deputy nuclear chief Kamalvandi told state television this week that the country has provided evidence to the IAEA that the cases are a result of 'sabotage' and that the nuclear materials were planted. He said Iranian officials were surprised when in Turquzabad, one of the sites in question near Tehran, agency inspectors knew exactly which points to test for suspected materials. 'It is natural that whoever contaminated the site, has given the exact coordinates for the inspectors to look,' Kamalvandi wrangling over Iran's nuclear programme is likely to be affected by Tehran's major announcement this week that a 'treasure trove' of thousands of documents has been obtained from inside Israel. The documents, which are allegedly related to Israel's clandestine nuclear programme, will be unveiled soon, according to Iranian authorities. No details have been published yet, but the fact that the Iranian Army, Supreme National Security Council, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Ministry of Intelligence have all separately hailed the announcement shows Iran is doubling down on the significance of the documents. Specifically, Iran says the documents could increase deterrence against long-threatened Israeli aggression against Iranian nuclear sites, and reverse the perception that Iran has been weakened amid the regional fallout of the war on Gaza that saw ally Bashar al-Assad fall in Syria and Hezbollah take heavy blows in Lebanon. The Supreme National Security Council said the information will allow Iran to 'immediately retaliate against any potential Zionist regime [Israeli] aggression on the country's nuclear facilities by attacking its hidden nuclear sites, and to respond proportionately to any hostile acts against economic and military infrastructure'. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said this week that he believes Israeli air strikes would push Iran to seek nuclear weapons. Grossi himself has come under fire from Iran, with Iran's nuclear head Mohammad Eslami saying that he had proven 'that the IAEA is merely a tool in the hands of a few nations'. 'They issue the commands, and he obediently follows, executing their directives,' Eslami said on Tuesday. Iranian authorities have claimed Grossi is looking to become the next secretary-general of the UN, and is therefore sacrificing the nuclear watchdog's integrity by adopting pro-Western rhetoric to gain personal favour. Grossi says the agency is merely doing its job. Trump said the sixth round of talks with Iran will take place on Thursday, but Iran's Foreign Ministry said planning is under way to hold a meeting next Sunday. After five rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman, Iran and the US have yet to see eye-to-eye on the most fundamental issue: enrichment. Trump, who initially emphasised his only demand was that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, has in recent weeks shifted his rhetoric to push for zero nuclear enrichment taking place on Iranian soil. Tehran maintains this is a non-starter since it has a legitimate right to use nuclear energy for civilian use such as power generation and making radiopharmaceuticals, but said on Monday it will offer a counterproposal to Washington soon to advance the talks. Mossad chief David Barnea and other Israeli officials are slated to meet with Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy leading the talks, before the sixth round.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store