Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran opposition claims to have found secret nuclear site
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Iran opposition claims to have found secret nuclear site
AFP - 1 hour 37 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Leading Iranian opposition members claimed Thursday to have uncovered a secret nuclear enrichment site buried in the mountains northwest of Tehran and run by Iran's defense ministry.
But the Pentagon and independent Institute for Science and International Security expressed (ISIS) skepticism over the claims.
Information obtained by the People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI) has revealed Iran began building the site in Abyek, about 70 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Tehran, in 2005, the opposition members said.
"This is controlled, run and operated... by the ministry of defense," Alireza Jafarzadeh, former media spokesman for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told a press conference in Washington.
The People's Mujahedeen, the main group in the NCRI, is officially listed as a foreign terrorist organization in the United States, although a judge ruled in July that it should be removed from the blacklist.
Jafarzadeh said the information about the Behjatabad-Abyek site was shared this week with the US government, Congress and the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Soona Samsami, who was US representative for the NCRI, said the Iranian authorities have so far spent 100 million dollars on the project and completed about 85 percent of the construction.
The pair presented satellite pictures of excavation work at the alleged nuclear site, which they said supports information gleaned from sources "inside the Iranian regime" and showed what they said were four entrances and a tunnel.
The mountain peak sitting atop the tunnel stands at 100 meters (330 feet), higher than the 80 meters (260 feet) nuclear experts say is required to prevent detection via radioactive emissions, Jafarzadeh said.
The mountain also reinforces the facility against any aerial bombardment, he added.
The tunnel, which is eight meters (26 feet) wide and 200 meters (650 feet) long leads deep inside the ground to three large halls designed to house centrifuge cascades used in the enrichment of uranium, he said.
The opposition members said the construction work began at a time when the Islamic Republic insisted it had halted its controversial nuclear activities.
The United States and other Western powers suspect Iran is using its nuclear enrichment program to build a bomb. Iran denies the charge, saying its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.
But the claims were met with some skepticism.
"I don't know if this site is one that they have discovered that our intelligence experts have not seen. I find that hard to believe, but we shall see," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner was not aware that the Iranian opposition had contacted the administration about the claims, but told reporters US officials would study "whatever they present."
David Albright, the founder of the ISIS, said "it's just another one of their results you can't verify. It doesn't hold up very well in our minds. There's nothing in the satellite images that suggest a centrifuge plant."
He told AFP the NCRI have made "a lot of mistakes" with past claims about Iranian nuclear activity and they also "exaggerate their accomplishments dramatically."
Nonetheless, it would be worth having the IAEA visit such sites, he said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Suicide squad kills five in raid on Mogadishu airport AFP - Friday, September 10
Nigerian police hunt escaped prisoners AFP - Friday, September 10
UK-World Summary Reuters - 22 minutes ago
Israeli air strikes target Hamas sites in Gaza Reuters - 23 minutes ago
Iran says it will free U.S. detainee Sarah Shourd Reuters - 31 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Wall Street's super traders come under fire
German Bundesbank member accused of racism resigns
Europe needs 'quantum leap' in budget checks: ECB chief
US court lifts ban on state-funding for stem cell research
Iran says will free one detained American on Saturday
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss
78-year-old woman found alive after week missing in Alps
Defiant Florida church says Koran burning to go ahead
BP seeks to shift blame for oil spill
Vitamin B 'could delay Alzheimer's onset'
More Most Viewed »
Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss
Earth's upper atmosphere shrinking, scientists say
Tiger's ex breaks her silence on sex scandal
Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP
78-year-old woman found alive after week missing in Alps
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 10 September 2010 Iran says it will free U.S. detainee Sarah Shourd
Suicide bomber kills 16 at Russian market
Israeli air strikes target Hamas sites in Gaza
|
Iran opposition claims to have found secret nuclear site
Apple eases app restrictions, Adobe shares jump
Europe needs 'quantum leap' in budget checks: ECB chief
US fighting losing war in Afghanistan: Taliban leader
Under-fire France to support Romania integration push
US court lifts ban on state-funding for stem cell research
Katy Perry Earns Second Hot 100 #1 Single With "Teenage Dream"
Iran dissident group alleges new nuclear site
|
Rights group: Violence threatens Afghan elections
Iran says will free one detained American on Saturday
Police search Sarkozy party HQ in L'Oreal scandal
Britney Spears Sued By Former Bodyguard For Sexual Harrassment
Gunmen behead, set alight Sunni cleric in Iraq
|
US jobless claims drop faster than expected
Disturbed Earn Fourth #1 Album On Billboard With "Asylum"
Nigerian forces free two Russian hostages in delta
|
Israel faces Arab nuclear pressure at IAEA meetings
|
Colombian rebels mount offensive, 45 killed
|
U.N.'s Ban talks up Rwanda amid crisis over leak
|
Obama says Koran-burning could lead to suicide bombings
Iran 'to free US hiker woman'
Obama adviser nudges Russia on democracy
Japan's Miike unsheathes '13 Assassins' at Venice filmfest
Obama says planned Koran burning is boosting Qaeda
India calls for media black-out of planned Koran burning
SKorea indicts pastor over illegal trip to NKorea
British journalist held in Pakistan released
Top US intel chief in Afghan leaving for new post
Bomb in Pakistan southwest kills two: police
Koran Burning Church Has Website Shutdown
Judge rules for eBay over Craigslist rights plan
|
FDA Signals Plan To Regulate E-Cigarettes As Drugs
Mysterious North Korea keeps world guessing on rare meeting
Family of Slain Yale Grad Student Begins Own Probe; May Sue
China warns Japan ties at risk over boat incident
U.S. Steel Workers Union Protests China Clean Energy Plan
India mulls 11-billion-dollar fund for power generation
Toys"R"Us To Open 600 Express Retail Locations
Italian films get mixed reaction at Venice festival
U.S. Reiterates Times Square Bomber Had Help From Pakistan
India will raise Ohio outsourcing ban with US: minister
01 Communique files patent suit against Dell, shares up
|
Katy Perry Earns Second Hot 100 #1 Single With "Teenage Dream"
President Greets Muslims on the Occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr
NEWSMAKER-Tough days ahead for Pakistan's new cenbank chief
Target To Sell Limited Edition Blu-Ray Of "Iron Man 2"
Pakistani stocks flat; rupee weakens; o/n rates down
3M To Acquire Arizant For $810 Million
Pakistan inflation picks up as floods impact food
S.Korea c.bank unexpectedly holds rates on global woes
Pakistan's forex reserves ease to $16.07 bln
Philippine Airlines cabin crews file strike notice
Hokey hockey musical kicks off Toronto film fest
|
A Minute With: Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil
|
Willow Smith, 9, signs record deal with Jay-Z
|
Italian films get mixed reaction at Venice festival
|
BP Spillcam deemed top TV word.Guido close behind
|
Japanese samurai movie pokes fun at tradition
|
Britney Spears denies sexual harassment lawsuit
|
Waiting to Exhale fans finally get sequel
|
Star-studded films vie for attention in Toronto
|
Former James Bond star doesn't care about 007 woes
|
Karzai calls on Taliban leader to join peace talks
Japan PM has edge in party race, outcome unclear
|
Deutsche Bank to unveil 9-bln-euro rights issue
Hackers make 57,000 booby-trapped websites weekly: experts
Israeli air strikes target Hamas sites in Gaza
U.S. troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians
|
German central banker resigns after 'racism' furore
Dissidents claim new Iran nuclear site but U.S. sceptical
US-TECH Summary
Toll rises, region mourns after Russia suicide blast
|
Third Season Of "1000 Ways To Die" To Premiere On Spike TV
Wall Street's super traders come under fire
US videogame sales continue downward slide
Hiker Sarah Shourd Being Released By Iran, U.S. Encourages Release Of All
China tells Japan to back down in sea dispute
|
Iran opposition claims to have found secret nuclear site
Court restores eBay stake in Craigslist
Two Asteroids Pass Between Earth, Moon
For some Pakistanis, mob violence is best justice
|
Iran to free female American for holiday clemency
Civil Rights Groups to Stop Border Searches of Digital Devices
Corrected: German central banker in race row resigns
|
eBay stake in Craigslist restored but no board seat
Obama Retracts Clinton's Comparison of Mexican Violence to Colombia
Mexico drug war not comparable to Colombia: Obama
|
01 Communique files patent suit against Dell, shares up
U.S. Stocks In Slight Gain After Reports Of Lower Jobless Claims, Trade Deficit
Best Buy to offer Amazon's Kindle e-reader
Apple eases app restrictions, Adobe shares jump
Apple relaxes rules for iPhone-iPod-iPad applications
Hockey musical opens Toronto film festival
U.S. judge declares ban on gays in military unconstitutional
Japan PM has edge in party race, outcome unclear
Are zombies the new vampires in Hollywood?
U.S. troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians
Host company pulls plug on Florida pastor's website
South Koreans pay homage to health-giving herb
NZ quake city no-go zones remain after more aftershocks
Islamic charity co-founder convicted on tax charge
Japan artist brings manga controversy to Versailles
'Salesman in chief' Schwarzenegger on Asia trade trip
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Host company pulls plug on Florida pastor's website
|
Wildfire sets sights on Boulder as wind picks up
Pastor calls off Koran burning, claims deal over NY mosque
NBC devising "Office" succession plan
U.S. chipmakers' outlooks stoke economy concerns
|
Vettori named New Zealand player of the year
US hiker Shourd to be released 'very soon': Iran diplomat
eBay stake in Craigslist restored but no board seat
|
Hockey musical opens Toronto film festival
Florida pastor calls off Koran burning, claims mosque deal
Global Weather-Celsius
Hokey hockey musical kicks off Toronto film fest
Chinese, US defense chiefs may meet this year: Pentagon
HHS to insurers: Don't blame us for your rates
Joaquin Phoenix not quitting acting just yet
700 Taiwan aborigines trapped after landslides
Are zombies the new vampires in Hollywood?
"Virginity Hit" a bawdy crowdpleaser
Sole new entry "Resident Evil" to top box office
Designer piracy takes stage at New York Fashion Week
Biel, Mendes and Weisz go behind the camera for Glamour
Japan revises growth up, but yen pressures linger
Indonesia says Koran burning threatens world peace
Seoul shares hit 27-mth closing high on exporters
Philippines raises $1 bln in peso bond issue
Biel, Mendes and Weisz go behind the camera for Glamour
|
Taiwan stocks end up; banks, Chimei lead
Are zombies the new vampires in Hollywood?
|
Joaquin Phoenix not quitting acting just yet
|
China's property price growth slows anew in August
Hokey hockey musical kicks off Toronto film fest
|
NBC devising Office succession plan
|
US union accuses China of rigging green energy trade
Sole new entry Resident Evil to top box office
|
Virginity Hit a bawdy crowdpleaser
|
NZ plans 15 year inflation-indexed bond
Actor Ian Somerhalder passionate about environment
|
Incubator Bank of Japan to go bankrupt: officials
Japan's Q2 annualised growth revised up to 1.5 percent
Seoul shares open higher on U.S. data, gains
Pastor backs off Koran-burning plan for now
|
Google plans research base in France
China to launch next lunar space mission
Nokia appoints Microsoft executive as new CEO
Man held in Denmark after trying to blow himself up
|
Button sets the early pace in Monza practice
Iran denies secret nuclear site claim
|
Italy's Berlusconi downplays election talk
|
US-TECH Summary
Calif judge to stop 'don't ask, don't tell' policy
More worker suicides reported at France Telecom
|
Moscow mayor vows to stay after Medvedev attack
|
1 dead, 53 homes destroyed in California fire
Myanmar tells baffled voters to do their duty
|
Report: US must deal with domestic radical problem
Commuter train kills 2, injures 1 in Calif.
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Japan concerned at China's growing military reach
South Korea's Lee seeks to boost commercial ties with North
Japan PM Kan seen gaining support in leadership race
Nokia brings in Microsoft exec to replace CEO
|
Cambodian garment workers threaten massive strike
Myanmar riot fears after two men shot by troops
Australian 'kingmaking' MP declines ministerial post
Hurd's Oracle hire package worth millions
|
Star-light Venice film festival lacks magic moment
Three accused Pakistan cricketers to return home
Oscar hopefuls look to make splash in Toronto
Japan says over 230,000 listed centenarians can't be found
Koran burning outrage builds as Muslims mark Eid
Star-light Venice film festival lacks magic moment
|
Barney's Version makes it from book to big screen
|
Oscar hopefuls look to make splash in Toronto
|
Director Hellman in Venice with puzzling picture
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights