UN Finds Iran Nuke Progress Slow

The UN's nuclear watchdog says Iran’s uranium enrichment is progressing slowly, Reuters reports, a finding that will likely dim American efforts to impose new sanctions. “Iran made a fast start but then there was a leveling off,” said an official of the IAEA, whose report debunked Iran's claims that it has "industrial capacity" to enrich uranium.

Of concern to Western officials is the IAEA deal that allows Tehran to answer questions about its nuclear programs piecemeal, drawing out the process and delaying possible sanctions. The agency could not, however, rule out military intentions; with Iran continuing to bar inspectors from some facilities—access the IAEA mandates—they can’t verify the existence of secret sites. (More Iran stories.)