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New Evidence Suggests Iranian Missile Program

Metal shipments, banking activities come under US scrutiny

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 9:45 AM CST

(Newser) – New evidence suggests that Iran may be evading international sanctions, importing high-performance metals that could be used to build long-range weaponry, US security and law enforcement officials tell the Wall Street Journal. One invoice shows a shipment of metals going to an Iranian company through an intermediary. UAE officials, meanwhile, have intercepted two Iran-bound shipments of other such metals from China.

The discoveries are no smoking gun—the metals also have industrial and commercial uses. “We can't say we know it would, or would not, be used for military purposes,” said one proliferation expert. But “there doesn't seem to be any real doubt or debate whether Iran is going for the bomb or whether Iran is using front companies to import things. Everyone agrees on that around the world.”

An Iranian flag flutters, in this image released Nov. 12, 2008 taken at an undisclosed location in Iran, beside a missile prior to the test fire by Iranian armed forces.
An Iranian flag flutters, in this image released Nov. 12, 2008 taken at an undisclosed location in Iran, beside a missile prior to the test fire by Iranian armed forces.   (AP Photo )
This is an images released  Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008  taken at an undisclosed location in Iran, showing  a missile test fire by Iranian armed forces.
This is an images released Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 taken at an undisclosed location in Iran, showing a missile test fire by Iranian armed forces.   (AP Photo )
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to the media during his press conference at the presidency in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to the media during his press conference at the presidency in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Greatbear100
Jan 19, 2009 7:39 PM CST
It should be illegal for any US firm to sell the materials needed to build the bomb if we are serious about stopping iran from getting the bomb.
Guest
Jan 16, 2009 3:42 AM CST
Didn't I see this headline in the New York Times back in '03? Except you had to switch Iraq for Iran and WMDs for missile program. And I'm still trying to figure out how we could expect them not to go for nukes if they did, unless Israel, ourselves and the rest of the world are willing to lay theirs down too.

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