This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8246110.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Iran 'closer to nuclear weapon' Iran 'closer to nuclear weapon'
(11 minutes later)
Iran is moving closer to being able to make a nuclear bomb, the US envoy has told a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.Iran is moving closer to being able to make a nuclear bomb, the US envoy has told a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
Glyn Davies told the meeting Iran was nearly or already in possession of enough low-enriched uranium to produce a bomb, if it was further enriched.Glyn Davies told the meeting Iran was nearly or already in possession of enough low-enriched uranium to produce a bomb, if it was further enriched.
Iran denies seeking anything beyond a civilian nuclear power programme.Iran denies seeking anything beyond a civilian nuclear power programme.
It says it will present a package of new proposals to the group of six world powers negotiating over its programme.It says it will present a package of new proposals to the group of six world powers negotiating over its programme.
The negotiations are taking place as the IAEA - the UN nuclear watchdog - holds a week-long meeting in Vienna.The negotiations are taking place as the IAEA - the UN nuclear watchdog - holds a week-long meeting in Vienna.
'Dangerous and destabilising''Dangerous and destabilising'
"We have serious concerns that Iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option," US envoy Mr Davies told the 35 nations on the IAEA board of governors."We have serious concerns that Iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option," US envoy Mr Davies told the 35 nations on the IAEA board of governors.
ANALYSIS Peter Biles, world affairs correspondent, BBC News There remains deep anxiety in the West about Iran's refusal to answer all the outstanding questions related to its nuclear programme.
Analysts say there is fairly broad consensus that Iran has conducted a process of "weaponisation". But at precisely what stage does Iran constitute a threat to the international community?
Israel is said to be arguing that a red line is crossed as soon as Iran has a "significant uncontained nuclear capability". In other words, it need not be the actual development of a nuclear bomb.
So the six major powers dealing with this - the permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany - will be keen to know when Iran reaches "breakout capability", the wherewithal to produce a weapon.
"Iran is now either very near or in possession already of sufficient low-enriched uranium to produce one nuclear weapon if the decision were made to further enrich it to weapons-grade.""Iran is now either very near or in possession already of sufficient low-enriched uranium to produce one nuclear weapon if the decision were made to further enrich it to weapons-grade."
He said this moved Iran "closer to a dangerous and destabilising possible break-out capacity" - the point at which it could create an atomic bomb.He said this moved Iran "closer to a dangerous and destabilising possible break-out capacity" - the point at which it could create an atomic bomb.
On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that Tehran was preparing to present a new set of proposals to the global powers involved in talks over its nuclear programme - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - plus Germany.On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that Tehran was preparing to present a new set of proposals to the global powers involved in talks over its nuclear programme - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - plus Germany.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Fars new agency he hoped that "in the framework of this package we will be able to launch a new round of talks".Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told Fars new agency he hoped that "in the framework of this package we will be able to launch a new round of talks".
But some observers believe Tehran might just be stalling for time, reports the BBC's world affairs correspondent, Peter Biles.But some observers believe Tehran might just be stalling for time, reports the BBC's world affairs correspondent, Peter Biles.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, and Iran's willingness to co-operate internationally is now under greater scrutiny than ever, he says.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, and Iran's willingness to co-operate internationally is now under greater scrutiny than ever, he says.
Mixed reportMixed report
The head of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, has said in the past that the threat posed by Iran is exaggerated. But on Monday he sounded a note of impatience, warning talks had reached "stalemate". The head of the IAEA, Mohamed Baradei, has said in the past that the threat posed by Iran is exaggerated. But on Monday he sounded a note of impatience, warning talks had reached "stalemate".
The IAEA chief has sounded a note of impatience with IranThe IAEA chief has sounded a note of impatience with Iran
"It is essential that Iran substantively re-engage with the agency to clarify and bring to closure all outstanding issues," he said."It is essential that Iran substantively re-engage with the agency to clarify and bring to closure all outstanding issues," he said.
In its latest report, the IAEA said a visit to Iran's Natanz plant in August had noted a reduction in the number of centrifuges used to actively enrich uranium.In its latest report, the IAEA said a visit to Iran's Natanz plant in August had noted a reduction in the number of centrifuges used to actively enrich uranium.
But it also accused Tehran of a lack of co-operation with the IAEA on Western intelligence allegations of weaponisation.But it also accused Tehran of a lack of co-operation with the IAEA on Western intelligence allegations of weaponisation.
Iran is continuing to enrich uranium in defiance of the UN Security Council, saying it has a right to a nuclear power programme.Iran is continuing to enrich uranium in defiance of the UN Security Council, saying it has a right to a nuclear power programme.