Iran accuses Ukrainian of sabotaging its nuclear programme
A Ukrainian has been arrested on suspicion of sabotage at Iran's nuclear power plant, a newspaper reported yesterday.
A Ukrainian has been arrested on suspicion of sabotage at Iran's nuclear power plant, a newspaper reported yesterday.
The report in the daily said the "Ukrainian expert" was affiliated with a Russian contractor that works in Iran's Bushehr plant, which went online in 2011 with Russian aid.
The report did not elaborate on the timing or nature of the alleged sabotage.
Iran has long accused the United States, Israel and European countries of sabotaging its nuclear programme.
International sanctions force Iran to buy Western-made parts from third parties. suggested such parties were involved in sabotaging parts before they arrived in Iran,.
The report also quoted Asghar Zarean, deputy head of Iran's nuclear department in charge of security, as saying that Sandia National Laboratories, a New Mexico-based subsidiary of defence contractor Lockheed Martin, had been involved in manipulating parts that Iran needed for its nuclear facilities.
In 2010, the Stuxnet virus temporarily disrupted the operation of thousands of centrifuges, key components in nuclear fuel production, at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Iran said it and other computer virus attacks were part of a concerted effort by Israel, the US and their allies to undermine its programme through secret operations.
The US and its allies suspect Iran is seeking the ability to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran denies the allegations, insisting its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and aimed at generating electricity and producing medical isotopes.
Iran and the group of the US, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany are holding talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement by November this year that would curb Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.