UN Report on Iran's Nuke Program Affirms Past Weapons Effort

"A much-anticipated report from the UN's nuclear watchdog on Iran's nuclear program indicates the Islamic Republic tried at some point to get the bomb, but leaves may key questions unanswered.

The report, which the International Atomic Energy Agency circulated to its 35-nation board, shows that Iran worked in the past on nuclear weapons but its activities didn't go past planning such a program and testing of basic components. Iran has consistently claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, so the reported finding appears to debunk such a claim. Also as expected, the IAEA admits in the report that not all information was made available by Tehran, so findings are inconclusive.

The IAEA report is part of the process of clearing the way toward lifting UN sanctions on Iran since the Security Council endorsed the P5+1 Iran nuclear deal in July. Iran still needs to abide by its commitments under the July 14 accord to get UN sanctions relief...

How the report is received by the international community is significant not only for the lifting of sanctions, but also the future of the Iran deal. The IAEA findings will likely be met with fierce criticism from Republicans and Democrats opposed to the nuclear deal and redoubling of efforts stop the lifting of sanctions against the Islamic Republic as stipulated in the agreement..."