[Washington Post] Edward Cody - An Iranian exile group, the Paris-based Mujaheddin-e Khalq (MEK), said Thursday it has identified two previously unknown sites in and near Tehran where Iranian scientists are researching and trying to manufacture detonators for nuclear weapons. Mehdi Abrishamchi, a senior member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the two sites were part of the Research Center for Explosion and Impact under the Defense Ministry. At one site in Tehran, scientists carry out computer simulations and other experiments to reach an effective design for high-explosive impact and penetration devices that could serve to detonate a nuclear weapon. The second site, about 20 miles east of Tehran, is used to manufacture parts needed to construct the detonators. Abrishamchi said the two sites are continuing work that was being done at Shian, a facility that was razed by Iranian authorities after being denounced by the MEK in 2003. He called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the sites as quickly as possible.
2009-09-25 08:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive