Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

January 2000
Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev meets with Hasan Ruhani, chief of the Iranian Supreme Security Council. Sergeyev says, "Russia intends to maintain the dynamics of its bilateral ties with Iran in the military, military-technical, scientific technical, and energy fields."
—New York Times, 17 January 2000, p. A1; in Anthony H. Cordesman, "Iran and Nuclear Weapons: A Working Draft," Center for Strategic and International Studies, 7 February 2000.

14 January 2000
According to Radiostantsiya Ekho Moskvy (Moscow), the Russian commission on military industry, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, decides that Russia will build three reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, not just the original one. ITAR-TASS, however, reports that a possible deal was announced by Vice Prime Minister Klebanov after his meeting with Iranian Supreme Security Council chief Hassan Ruhani, but does not indicate that a final decision has been made.
—AP (Moscow), 14 January 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>; "Russia To Build Three Reactors For Iran at Bushehr," Radiostantsiya Ekho Moskvy (Moscow), 14 January 2000, in FBIS Document FTS20000114001000, 14 January 2000.

15 January 2000
The Czech newspaper Lidove Noviny reports that Great Britain and the United States protested the planned delivery of items for the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran. Both countries fear Iran will misuse the products to develop nuclear weapons. Though the Iranian deal means significant revenue for the Czech company ZVVZ Milevsko, any potential profit may be offset by sanctions imposed by the United States or Britain. Thus far, nineteen countries have turned down Iran's offer to supply it with equipment for its nuclear power plant, which in turn may cast the Czech Republic as a political pariah among its European counterparts. [Note: See 30 April 2000.]
—"UK, USA Protest Against Czech Republic's Planned Iranian Delivery," BBC, 15 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

15 January 2000
The Japanese Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) public safety division arrested two former executives of a now defunct Japanese optical equipment manufacturer on the suspicion that the company had exported sensitive equipment to Iran. The company, known as Sunbeam, reportedly illegally sold 3,100 sighting lenses in April and December 1995 to Iran. The sighting lenses can be used with "RPG-7" anti-tank weapons. Similar sighting lenses, also sold by Sunbeam, were found on board a North Korean submarine that ran aground in South Korean waters in September 1996. Japanese officials believe that the sighting lenses were sold to Iran, which in turn supplied them to North Korea in exchange for missile technology. North Korean defectors have reportedly told interrogators, "North Korea has imported Japan's high-tech devices necessary for the development of nuclear weapons and other military equipment through third countries." Japanese officials are concerned that equipment made in Japan and sold illegally by Japanese companies may pose a threat to Japan's security.
—"Police Suspect That DPRK Imports Japanese Parts From Iran," Sankei Shimbun (Tokyo), 16 January 2000, FBIS Document, FTS20000118000572, 16 January 2000.

16 January 2000
The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies criticizes nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia and warns that it reflects Iran's desire to become the regional power in the Middle East. Regarding statements that Igor Sergeyev, the Russian defense minister, made about Russia's intent to carry out mutual agreements signed with Iran in 1998 and 1999, the center said that the statements were a surprise since Russia and Iran claim that their cooperation would not include developing Iran's nuclear capabilities for military use. According to the center, the statements were made two weeks after Russia assured that it is resolved to speed up the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power station. After meeting with Sergeyev in Moscow, the General Secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, Hassan Ruhani, said that the Russian-Iranian cooperation is "being conducted in the framework of international law and is characterized by transparency." He also reportedly stated that "any interference on the part of a third party in our relations is unacceptable." After meeting with Ruhani, Aylia Klibanov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, said that Iran may request three nuclear power plants from Russia and that the prospective deal "complies with all international obligations related to organizing the use of nuclear energy."
—"Criticism From the Emirates Over the Nuclear Cooperation Between Tehran and Moscow," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), 17 January 2000; "Khalkhali Announced His Return to Political Work - Moscow and Tehran Reaffirm Their Commitment to Continuing Nuclear and Military Cooperation," Al-Nahar (Beirut), 15 January 2000, <http://www.annaharonline.com>.

17 January 2000
The CIA reports that Iran may be capable of producing a nuclear weapon now. This assessment is based on the fact that Western intelligence has not been able to track the exchanges that are occurring on Iran's part, so the CIA cannot rule out the possibility that Iran may have the weapons. Russia continues to cooperate with Iran but deny aiding them with a weapons program. Iran also continues to deny that they are pursuing a weapons program. According to David Albright, a nuclear analyst in Washington, "Iran has made it clear that it will not be the last major country in the region to develop nuclear weapons."
—James Risen and Judith Miller, "CIA Tells Clinton an Iranian A-Bomb Can't Be Ruled Out," New York Times, 17 January 2000, <http://www.nytimes.com>, accessed 7 February 2002.

17 January 2000
Iran rejects accusations made by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that it is building and attempting to procure nuclear arms. The rebuttal comes in response to accusations made by the CIA in the New York Times that Iran is seeking to obtain nuclear arms. A source from the Iranian Defense Ministry says "The Islamic Republic of Iran which made the initiative to establish a dialogue of civilizations has no need of nuclear weapons and declares against violence."
—"Iran Denies Striving to Possess Nuclear Arms," ITAR-TASS News Agency, 19 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

18 January 2000
According to Efraim Sneh, Israel's deputy defense minister, the United States has failed in its attempts to contain Iran's nuclear capability. Sneh said that Israel must to continue to build a wall of deterrence against Iran "perhaps different and greater than the one we have today." Referring to Iran's missile arsenal, Sneh stated that "it's clear that such missiles with such a large radius and warhead capability are not intended to solve their problems with Iraq, their enemy neighbor." Sneh implied that Israel might try to stop the progress of Iranian nuclear projects, but did not give specifics. He said "there is a list of other things ... but I'm not sure they should be discussed publicly." In the past, Sneh has expressed that Israel should think about launching a pre-emptive strike against Iran to destroy its nuclear facilities.
—"US Faulted on Iran Nuke Containment," Washington Post, 18 January 2000, <http://www.washingtonpost.com>.

26 January 2000
Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeniy Adamov says construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is progressing and that 200 Russian specialists are working at the site.
—Anna Bazhenova, "Russia: Nuclear Plant Building Continues in Iran, PRC," Itar-Tass (Moscow), 26 January 2000, in FBIS Document FTS20000126001626, 26 January 2000.

27 January 2000
Asadollah Saburi, Iran's Deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organization, says 26.4% of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is complete, and expects 38% to be complete by the end of the current Iranian year. Saburi blames periods of slow progress on ambiguities within the contract between Russia and Iran over each nation's respective duties regarding construction of the plant.
—"Iran: Official says China has Stopped Nuclear Cooperation," BBC, 27 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

31 January 2000
Asadollah Saburi, Deputy Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, says Iran has severed its ties with China regarding nuclear projects. Saburi states "The Chinese reached a conclusion to work on nuclear matters with other countries, not Iran. Our contract was cancelled partly for political reasons."
—"Iran Admits Chinese Link Severed," Nuclear Engineering International, 31 January 1998, p.4, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

31 January 2000
Lidove Noviny, the Czech newspaper, reports the Czech Republic government is reconsidering its stand on whether to allow ZVVZ Milevsko to provide the Bushehr nuclear power plant with equipment. A great many countries have already refused to provide Iran with technical assistance, a fact that supplants some of the Czech Republic's original stalwartness with reticence regarding the sale of nuclear technology to Iran. Mahmud Mohammadi, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, states "a reaction to such interference in the domestic affairs of Iran, Tehran has decided to reduce the level of its economic and political cooperation with Prague."
—Bill Samii, "Czech Work on Bushehr Reactor in Doubt," Iran Report, 31 January 2000, Vol. 3, No. 5, <http://www.rferl.org>.

February 2000
The CIA releases a report on Iran's nuclear program that reads, "During the first half of 1999, Russia also remained a key supplier for civilian nuclear programs in Iran. With respect to Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Russian assistance enhances Iran's ability to support a nuclear weapons development effort. By its very nature, even the transfer of civilian technology may be of use in Iran's nuclear weapons program....Russia has reiterated previous commitments to observe certain limits on its nuclear cooperation with Iran, such as not providing militarily useful nuclear technology, although—as indicated above—Russia continues to provide Iran with nuclear technology that could be applied to Iran's weapons program."
—Non-Proliferation Center, Director of Central Intelligence, "Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating To Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January Through 30 June 1999"; in Anthony H. Cordesman, "Iran and Nuclear Weapons: A Working Draft," Center for Strategic and International Studies, 7 February 2000.

February 2000
The US Senate approves legislation that would authorize sanctions on all entities that cooperate with Iran's biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons programs.
—"Iran Nuclear Milestones," The Risk Report, Volume 6 Number 4, July-August 2000, accessed in <http://www.wisconsinproject.org>.

1 February 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov admitted that installation of a VVER-1000 [1000MW light water] reactor at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant is running 18 months behind schedule. Deputy Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Reshetnikov said that large-scale physical work at Bushehr has only just begun. A great deal of preliminary engineering and design work was needed in order to determine what use could be made of the existing German installations and components left over when German firms withdrew from the construction project in 1979. Much of the equipment onsite is obsolete and will have to be replaced. Out of 80,000 items of German equipment available at Bushehr, about 47,000 are likely to be useable. About 11,000 items of electrical and mechanical equipment are ready for use but lack the required quality assurance documentation. The plant is now scheduled for commissioning in March 2002, but Minatom officials hope that the reactor will be commissioned four or five months before this.
—"Bushehr Reactor Installation Running behind Schedule," 1 February 2000, Nuclear News, February 2000, p. 30.

2 February 2000
According to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Iran tried to acquire technology and equipment for weapons of mass destruction from Russia, China, and North Korea. The CIA's Non-Proliferation Center reports "In doing so, Tehran is attempting to develop an indigenous capability to produce various types of weapons — nuclear, chemical and biological — and their delivery systems." Iran's system of acquiring nuclear technology has become more efficient and modern, the CIA reports, and uses this "guise, to obtain whole facilities, such as a uranium conversion facility, that in fact could be used in any number of ways in support of efforts to produce fissile material needed for a nuclear weapon."
—Jim Mannion, "Iran Tapped Russia, China for Weapons of Mass Destruction Technology: CIA," Agence France Presse, 2 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

3 February 2000
During a meeting with acting president Vladimir Putin, Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov denies allegations of supplying Iran and India with dual-use high technologies, including nuclear technologies. However, Adamov states that Minatom intends to continue building nuclear reactors in Iran and India, in spite of pending US sanctions against a number of Russian research centers and academic institutions. The profit from building the nuclear power plant in Bushehr will be $800 million, and the other three Iranian projects are worth $2.5 billion.
—Andrey Bagrov, "Putin Offers Madeleine Albright Adamov's Rib," Kommersant, 3 February 2000, p.2; in "Putin Backs Adamov on Nuclear Cooperation With Iran," FBIS Document FTS20000203000949, 3 February 2000.

9 February 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov says that Russia is determined to continue construction of the nuclear power plant in Iran, for which Russia could earn up to $1 billion per reactor. He denies reports in Western media stating that Russia would end its cooperation with Iran in exchange for $100 million from the United States.
—"Rossiya prodolzhit stroitelstvo AES v Irane, zayavlyayet glava Minatoma" [Russia will continue construction of the nuclear power plant in Iran, says the Head of Minatom], Interfax, 9 February 2000.

17 February 2000
Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Pavel Rychetsky, announces that the Czech government has blocked a $27.5 million contract for a private Czech company to sell cooling equipment for the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
—"Iranian Radio: Czechs Pressurized by US Over Bushehr," Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran External Services (Tehran), 17 February 2000, in FBIS Document IAP20000217000062, 17 February 2000.

28 February 2000
The Financial Times reports the Czech Republic will no longer provide Iran with equipment or know-how for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This decision comes in the face of considerable scrutiny from the United States and the United Kingdom.
—Robert Anderson, "Czechs to Stop Help to Iran," Financial Times, 28 February 2000, p.3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

29 February 2000
In an interview with Reuters, Vice President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Asadollah Saburi says that Iran needs assistance from Western experts to conform to international nuclear safety standards. He notes that Western sanctions on "dual-use" technology have prevented Iran from having high-quality assistance on nuclear safety: "We are deprived of quality supervision. Otherwise, we could have assured ourselves and the world of our operations' safety." The United States and Israel are committed to preventing Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology, as it could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. The US Senate voted last week to impose sanctions on any state that supplied nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons technology or equipment to Iran. Saburi denies that Iran seeks nuclear weapons: "I assure the world we are not doing anything against international conventions. Our operations are fully open and transparent."
—Reuters (Tehran), 29 February 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>.

29 February 2000
Vice President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Asadollah Saburi asserts in an interview with Reuters that the Bushehr project with Russia is about one-third completed. He says that approximately 700 Russian experts are currently working at Bushehr and in one year this number would increase to about 1,500. Saburi states that negotiations are underway between Iran and Russia on a second reactor: "We are after a new generation of enhanced-quality reactors for the new plant: a 1,000MW if in Bushehr and smaller ones if in another site, possibly two 640MW units."
—Reuters (Tehran), 29 February 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>.

9 March 2000
According to Die Welt, "Tehran is working to develop missiles and nuclear weapons." The Federal German Intelligence Service (BND), reports Iran's decision to expand its arms industry may provide it with similar in-roads to procure nuclear weapons. The BND further states "Iran is striving to control either nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium prospecting to reprocessing. In so doing, knowledge is also gained that can be used to build nuclear weapons."
—"German Newspaper Assesses Iranian Nuclear Weapons and Missile Programme," BBC, 9 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

14 March 2000
President Clinton signs the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000, an act which allows him to take punitive measures against any individual or organization that provides any material aid to Iran's nuclear or any other WMD program. The legislation also cuts considerable funding from the US-Russian space station project unless Russia is determined to have demonstrated a commitment to oppose Iranian nuclear weapons program. Sergei Ivanov, the secretary of the Russian Security Council says in an interview that Russia assisting Iran in a weapons program would be like giving them a "grenade with a pulled out pin," that could "be hurled back at Moscow." The Russian Foreign Ministry reacted to the legislation by saying that the bill may considerably affect US-Russian relations particularly in the field of nonproliferation and export controls.
—Matthew Rice, "Clinton Signs 'Iran Nonproliferation Act,'" Arms Control Today, April 2000, <http://www.armscontrol.org>, accessed 7 February 2002.

14 March 2000
Russia will fulfill all contracts for weapons exports to Iran signed before 30 June 1995. That is the date when Russia signed the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission agreement pledging not to enter into contracts with Iran for military hardware or expanding military-technical cooperation after 1999. Sergey Ivanov, secretary of the Russian Security Council, stated that while Russia is not entering into new contracts with Iran, fulfilling the obligations on contracts signed in 1992-1993 is important for the country's prestige and business reputation. Ivanov stressed that Iran is under IAEA safeguards, and Russia welcomes IAEA inspections of the civilian nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
—"Rossiya prodolzhit postavku vooruzheniy Iranu po kontraktam, podpisannym do 1995 goda - sekretar Sovbeza RF" [Russia will continue exports of weapons to Iran according to contracts signed before 1995 - Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation], Interfax, 14 March 2000.

23 March 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov meets with Jessica Matthews, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to accept an invitation for an international conference on nonproliferation in Washington, DC in March 2000 and to discuss some issues of management of nuclear materials, including Russia's cooperation with Iran. Adamov pointed out that no one in the United States can explain how the Bushehr nuclear plant will increase Iran's military nuclear potential, and that the United States is building a similar nuclear plant in North Korea. Adamov emphasized that Russia and the United States have not worked out an agreement on preventing excessive accumulation of separated plutonium, and no negotiations on the subject are being held. After the meeting with Matthews, he stated that Russia does not intend to stop exporting nuclear reactors to Iran and other countries, even if the US Congress approves a proposal to allocate an additional $100,000 [sic] for work on nonproliferation and nuclear security.
—Andrey Vaganov, "Yevgeniy Adamov nastroyen reshitelno" [Yevgeniy Adamov is full of determination], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 11 February 2000, <http://news.mosinfo.ru/news>.

23 March 2000
According to David Kyd, spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has a peaceful nuclear program. In a news conference at United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Kyd stated that the IAEA has regularly inspected Iranian nuclear facilities and has never observed anything, which would indicate that the Iranian nuclear program has any military purposes. Kyd also said that the IAEA is cooperating with Iran to promote the highest international safety standards at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He reminded his audience that Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its nuclear facilities are permanently under IAEA supervision. In addition, Kyd said the IAEA has not received any intelligence from the United States that indicates that Iran is using its nuclear program for producing weapons. The United States and other Western countries have an embargo on numerous dual use items because they believe Iran is using its civilian nuclear program to prepare for producing nuclear weapons. US officials have criticized the IAEA inspections, because they claim that the IAEA failed to detect Iraq's large nuclear program in the 1980s.
—"IAEA Spokesman: Iran's Nuclear Program Peaceful," IRNA (Tehran), 23 March 2000, <http://www.irna.com>; "IAEA: Iran's Nuke Program Is Peaceful," Middle East Newsline (London), 24 March 2000

31 March 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov states that Iran intends to contract with Russia for the construction of three additional reactors for the nuclear power plant at Bushehr.
—"Iran Gotov Zakazat Rossii Stroitelstvo Eshche Trekh Blokov Dlya AES V Bushere" [Iran Is Ready To Order From Russia Three Additional Reactors For The Nuclear Power Plant In Bushehr], Interfax, 31 March 2000.

3 April 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov says during an appearance on Iranian television that Iranian authorities plan to accept Russia's proposal for cooperation on construction of three new nuclear reactors in Iran. According to Adamov, Russian experts are about to finish their work on the Bushehr plant, but may continue their activities in the next few months. Iranian authorities emphasized the peaceful character of the country's nuclear program. IAEA Press Secretary David Kyd recently gave a similar statement.
—"Tegeran Prinyal Predlozheniye Rossii Sotrudnichat V Sozdanii Trekh Yadernykh Reaktorov" [Tehran Accepted Russia's Offer To Cooperate In Construction Of Three Nuclear Reactors], Interfax, 3 April 2000.

4 April 2000
Russian daily Izvestiya reports that Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov has recently said that Iran has agreed to a deal for the construction of three nuclear reactors in addition to the one under construction at Bushehr. One additional reactor would be built at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and the other two at a location not yet specified. The deal would be worth $3.3 billion. [Note: See 14 January 2000.] About 1,000 Russians are working on the first reactor at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. [Note: On 26 January 2000, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeniy Adamov said 200 Russians were working at Bushehr.]
—Mariya Ignatova, "Nuclear Expansion: Russia Wants to Consolidate Its Hold on Eastern Nuclear Markets," 4 April 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20000404000039, 4 April 2000.

4 April 2000
Under pressure from the United States, the Czech parliament approves a law to ban all Czech exports to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. The purpose of the bill was to prevent the ZVVZ Milevsko company from cooperating with Iran in the construction of the Bushehr plant. Last year, the company signed a $30 million contract to provide air conditioning ducts for the plant. The lower chamber of the Czech parliament approved the bill in March at a time when Czech President Vaclav Havel assured US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that the government would ban such exports to Iran. The lower chamber rejected a proposed modification to provide compensation for the loss of revenue to the company, but the ministry of industry will provide compensation. Violations of the new law will be punished with a $563,000 fine and the confiscation of goods. President Havel must still sign the bill before it can be enforced.
—"Czech parliament bans exports for nuclear plant in Iran," Associated Press, 5 April 2000; "Iran Nuclear Milestones," The Risk Report, Volume 6 Number 4, July-August 2000, accessed in <http://www.wisconsinproject.org>.

4 April 2000
According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko, international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency have confirmed that Iran's nuclear program is purely civilian. Yakovenko stated that Russia believes "Iran has a right to develop nuclear programs of a non-military nature, in line with international treaties and agreements." Since the United States has blacklisted 10 Russian research centers and companies alleged to be cooperating with Iran on missile and nuclear research, the Russian Ministry of Education has stated that it would prevent Iranian students from participating in a Baltic University research project. Alexander Kondakov, the Russian minister of education, has agreed that Iranian students may have had access to Russian nuclear rocket technology through their studies.
—"Russia Defends Nuclear Cooperation With Iran, Makes First Concession," AFP (Moscow), 4 April 2000.

6 April 2000
The New York Times reports an Iranian truck with a cargo of radioactive material was seized at the border of Uzbekistan. It is uncertain whether the material could be used to make a nuclear weapon. The truck is not the first to be intercepted at the border, the report says, but American intelligence agencies believe no weapons-grade nuclear material has made it through.
—"Radioactive Material Bound for Pakistan Seized," The Hindu, 6 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>; "The Week in Review — Nuclear Materials Seized in Uzbekistan," Jane's Defence Weekly, 12 April 2000; in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

12 April 2000
The Federation of American Scientists reports that due to a lack of infrastructure within the country, Iran's nuclear weapons program is not expected to advance without significant foreign assistance. Iran is thought to be unable to manage the production of weapons-grade nuclear material. To shorten the projected period to acquire these materials, Iran is attempting to develop the capability to produce both highly enriched uranium as well as plutonium, while simultaneously trying to acquire fissile material from outside sources, mainly those that were the former Soviet Union. Iran's claims are that they are trying to launch a complete nuclear fuel cycle for their civilian nuclear holdings; however, this is the same fuel cycle that could support a weapons program. The CIA recently said that Iran's nuclear weapons capability can no longer be ruled out; this assessment comes, however, on the basis that the United States is not able to clearly track the advances that Iran is making.
—John Pike, "Nuclear Weapons," Federation of Atomic Scientists, 12 April 2000, <http://www.fas.org>, accessed 7 February 2002.

22 April 2000
Yuriy Savelyev, former dean of Baltic State Technical University, denies allegations of military cooperation with Iran. In accordance with the bill on nonproliferation recently passed by the US Senate, the university was classified in March 2000 as an establishment promoting proliferation by educating Iranian students in the field of nuclear energy. Savelyev, who was forced to resign due to these circumstances, confirmed that Iranian students studying at the university were specializing only in civilian applications.
—"V Baltiyskom tekhnicheskom universitete v Peterburge oprovergayut obvineniya v sotrudnichestve s Iranom v voyennoy sfere" [Baltic Technical University in St.Petersburg denies accusations of military cooperation with Iran], Interfax, 8 April 2000.

22 April 2000
According to experts at the Georgian Institute of Physics, laboratory tests show that the 920 grams of uranium, which was seized in Ajaria, is up to 30% enriched uranium-235. The experts say that this type of uranium is no longer used in Georgia and therefore the substance is probably from a foreign source. This type of uranium is typically used at nuclear power stations. In response to press reports that the uranium was destined for Iran, the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi has issued a protest against these allegations. [Note: See 1 May for Iranian denial.]
—"Four Arrested in Ajaria Over 920 Grams of Smuggled Uranium," Segodnya (Moscow), 29 April 2000; in FBIS Document CEP20000503000009, 29 April 2000.

25 April 2000
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamel Kharazi charges that developing countries are being denied nuclear technology by industrialized nations. In Iran's statement at the 2000 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, Kharazi noted, "The main objective of these regimes, disguised under the pretext of nonproliferation, is to secure the dominance and exclusive possession of nuclear technology by developed countries."
—Reuters, 25 April 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>.

1 May 2000
Iran's embassy in Georgia denies 920 grams of uranium was seized in Ajaria last week. [Note: See 22 April 2000.] Prime-News of Tbilisi, Georgia reports four people attempting to smuggle the highly illegal uranium-238 were detained by Georgian authorities. Kamal Kharazi, Iran's foreign minister, denies any wrongdoing labeling such actions as instigated by the West in an attempt "to secure the dominance and exclusive possession of nuclear technology by developed countries."
—Bill Samii, "Tehran Complains About Access to Nuke Technology," Iran Report, 1 May 2000, Vol. 3, No. 17, <http://www.rferl.org>.

1 May 2000
London-based daily Al-Hayat reports that several of 13 people accused of spying on Iran for Israel were investigating the Bushehr nuclear power plant and nuclear cooperation with Russia and China.
—Muhammad Nun, Al-Hayat (London), 1 May 2000, in FBIS Document GMP20000501000050, 1 May 2000.

11 May 2000
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instituted changes to the 1992 presidential decree "On Controlling the Export of Nuclear Materials, Equipment and Technologies from the Russian Federation" that permit Russia to supply nuclear technologies and materials to countries whose nuclear programs are not fully monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This is reportedly Moscow's response to the US Congress's passage of the Iran Nonproliferation Act, which imposes sanctions against Russian companies suspected of supplying Iran with prohibited technologies and materials. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Atomic Energy stated that Russia's ability to export nuclear materials and technologies has been "broadened considerably." It is believed that Putin revised his predecessor's decree in order to expedite the implementation of a contract with Teheran in the near future. Russia is currently building two reactors for the Iranian nuclear power plant at Bushehr. The contract won by the Atomic Energy Ministry is worth about $800 million. In addition, Moscow and Tehran are holding talks on the construction of three more nuclear facilities in Iran, valued at $2 billion. Iran already operates two nuclear reactors at the Bushehr plant that are potentially capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium. These plants are monitored by the IAEA. Several other plants, however, are not being monitored. This is the reason the United States asserted that Russia's assistance is helping Iran acquire a nuclear weapon capability.
—Mikhail Kozyrev, "Russia Authorizes Itself to Cooperate With Iran," The Current Digest of the Soviet Press, 11 May 2000, p. 20; in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com>, 7 June 2000.

16 May 2000
At the sixth Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi says Iran is committed to the treaty and favors a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
—"Kharazi Stresses Iran's Nuclear Programs Above Board," IRNA (Tehran), 16 May 2000, in FBIS Document IAP20000516000037, 16 May 2000.

17 May 2000
In a meeting with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Iran, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohammed Al-Baradi says Iran's nuclear activities adhere to international law and that cooperation between Iran and the IAEA has been good.
—"IAEA: Iran Nuclear Program Conforms With Regulations," IRNA (Tehran), 17 May 2000, in FBIS Document IAP20000517000058, 17 May 2000.

18 May 2000
Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran reports both Mohammad Al-Baradi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Gholam Reza Aqazadeh, the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, met to discuss the need to establish a Middle East nuclear-free zone. Al-Baradi further emphasized the agency's desire to provide assistance to Iran in other areas of cooperation besides the Bushehr nuclear power plant such as health, agriculture, industry, and hydrology.
—"Visiting IAEA Official Meets Head of Atomic Energy Organization," BBC, 18 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

19 May 2000
Iran asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for help in operating a center for nuclear studies. Iran denies reports that it is trying to develop nuclear weapons rather it seeks help from western experts to ensure that existing nuclear projects are following the highest international safety standards. On 17 May, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, Gholam Reza Aqazadeh, informed the director of the IAEA, Mohammed Al-Baradi that Iran wishes to obtain more of its support. Aqazadeh invited the IAEA to supervise a nuclear education center located west of Tehran. A prominent official in the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency stated recently that Iran's first energy producing nuclear reactor (with Russian support) located at the Gulf port of Bushehr does not have the highest quality of supervision due to the imposed western sanction on "dual- use" technology. Iran said that western sanctions hinder attempts to obtain 10% of the energy that Iran needs for the next two decades by using nuclear energy.
—"Iran asks the Energy Agency (IAEA) for help to operate a center for nuclear studies," Al-Zaman (London), 19 May 2000, p. 3.

22 May 2000
Iranian ambassador to Russia Mehdi Safar says construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is nearly 40% finished. Safari says Iran and Russia are discussing the construction of four total units at Bushehr, a deal which would be worth $3.5 billion total. [Note: A previous report said Iran had agreed to construction of an additional three reactors, one at Bushehr and the other two at a location not yet specified. See 4 April 2000.]
—"Russia, Iran View Progress In Bushehr Nuclear Plant Build," Interfax (Moscow), 22 May 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20000522000156, 22 May 2000.

29 May 2000
Bulgarian customs arrests a Kurd named Hanafi Yukazan with a container of highly enriched uranium. The arrest leads to a US investigation into smuggling of uranium and plutonium to Iran and Iraq from Ukraine.
—"Bulgarian Sources: US Tracking Ring Smuggling Uranium, Plutonium to Iraq, Iran," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), 27 December 2000, in FBIS Document GMP20001227000062, 27 December 2000.

1 June 2000
Nucleonics Week reports that unless the United States ends its antagonism to Iran's nuclear development program, senior Iranian officials said, Iran will not sign INFCIRC-540 (the "Additional Protocol" for more intrusive IAEA safeguards). A senior Iranian diplomat told Nucleonics Week on 8 May that some disarmament and arms control Iranian officials have proposed committing Iran to INFCIRC-540, but "Tehran always replies by asking us whether signing it will mean that the US stops harassing our nuclear development program, and so far the answer has been no." Iranian officials point out that their country signed and ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) yet the United States "persists in making claims that we have a program to produce chemical weapons. Our implementing the CWC hasn't stopped the US from continuing its propaganda war against our industry." The Iranian diplomat also noted, "So we have no assurance that if we agree to the Additional Protocol, the US will stop attacking our nuclear program." Iran has never been cited a violation of its safeguard agreement and remains a member in good standing of the NPT. However, as one European safeguards official stated, "It is generally understood but never publicly acknowledged (by the IAEA), that Iran is one of the key targets, not Australia or Sweden." [Note: See 1 June 2000 and 31 May 2002 for more on Iran and the Additional Protocol.]
—Mark Hibbs, "Iran Won't Accept More Inspections Unless US Stops Nuclear Blockade," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 41, No. 22, 1 June 2000, <http://www.mbenergy.com>.

1 June 2000
Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeney Adamov says US efforts to persuade Iran not cooperate in the nuclear field with Iran "should be viewed as a desire to deprive Russian factories of orders."
—"Russian Minister Rejects US 'Economic Pressure' Over Iran," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 1 June 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20000601000135, 1 June 2000.

1 June 2000
Arms control critics in the United States, such as Senator Jon Kyl, feel that Iran and other "rogue" states could develop nuclear weapons without testing them. Kyl said, "Although nuclear testing is essential to maintaining the sophisticated nuclear weapons in the US arsenal today, it is not required to develop relatively simple first-generation nuclear devices, like those sought by Iran and Iraq." He further said on 5 June 2000 in Washington that the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) couldn't stop the nuclear weapons program of any "rogue" state. Russia, unlike the United States, has developed the capability of increasing the production of nuclear weapons without violating the CTBT. Therefore, they will continue to oppose Senate ratification of the CTBT, which is useless at a time when China, North Korea, and Russia transfer nuclear weapons and missile technology to Iran, Libya, and Syria, critics added.
—"Iran Could Develop Nuke Weapons Without Tests," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 2, No. 216, 7 June 2000, <http://www.menewsline.com>.

26 June 2000
Iranian President Mohammed Khatami says that Iran had good relations with China, but had not discussed the issue of nuclear cooperation with Chinese officials. According to Khatami, discussions between China and Iran focused on economic, industrial, and technological cooperation. A Chinese government spokesman said that Khatami's visit to China had nothing to do with military cooperation. His statement was an apparent response to Western suspicions that Iran and China share weapons technology, including missile technology.
—Muhammad Nun, "Iran's Khatami on Nuclear Issue, US Accusations, Peace Process," Al-Hayat, 26 June 2000, pp. 1, 6; FBIS Document GMP20000626000034, 26 June 2000; "Khatami denies nuclear links," Reuters, 26 June 2000; in South China Morning Post, 26 June 2000, <http://www.scmp.com>.

6 July 2000
President Mohammad Khatami stated at a July 6 meeting that "while the Islamic Republic of Iran is the front runner of nuclear disarmament, we are being accused of trying to obtain these weapons. We are seeking nuclear technology only for the development of the country and not for any other purposes." On July 2, state radio condemned allegations by German intelligence chief August Hanning that Iran is working on a secret program to enrich uranium for use in weapons. One day before Khatami's comment, Kazakhstan security forces detained three people who were smuggling Uranium-235, which "was expected to be brought to Afghanistan and then, ...to Iran," Moscow's NTV reported.
—"Nuclear Allegations Protested," Iran Report, Vol. 3, No. 27, 17 July 2000; "Iran: President Khatami Says Iran 'Front Runner of Nuclear Disarmament," Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 6 July 2000; in FBIS Document IAP20000706000047, 6 July 2000.

3 August 2000
At a meeting between Iranian Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf and Russian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Alexander Dondukov in Moscow, the two nations vow to increase cooperation on nuclear power engineering, oil, and gas. Russian spokesperson Vadim Lazutin says, "Iran is interested in furthering cooperation with Russia primarily in the nuclear power engineering sphere as well as in oil and gas shipments."
—Agence France-Presse, 3 August 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>.

9 August 2000
The CIA publishes a report that says in 1999, Russia was one of Iran's main sources of parts and technology for the creation of weapons of mass destruction.
—"Iran: Radio Comments On Russia's Rejecting US Report on Weapons Transfers," Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Tehran), 11 August 2000, in FBIS Document IAP20000811000057, 11 August 2000.

26 August 2000
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani addresses the nuclear threat to Iran and its response. "We have neighbors who, due to international competition, have gained nuclear weapons," he says. "We do recognize that it is their right to have such capabilities, and they have apparently done so. We have no other alternatives but to defend ourselves in view of these developments. Although we are not trying to obtain non-conventional weapons, we must however, be able to protect ourselves against such threats."
—"Iran: Defense Minister Shamkhani Comments on Current Projects," Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network, 26 August 2000, p. 1; in FBIS Document IAP20000826000059, 26 August 2000.

29 August 2000
At an inter-parliamentary conference in New York, the speaker of Iran's parliament Mahdi Karrubi, says "it is imperative that serious action be taken to achieve total elimination of nuclear weapons."
—"Iranian Majiles Speaker Karrubi Addresses Inter-Parliamentary Session In NY," IRNA (Tehran), 30 August 2000.

17 September 2000
At the 44th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Gholam Reza Aqazadeh, president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, renews Iran's call for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. "After about three decades of international efforts," he says, "it is however quite unfortunate to see Israel still roaming around without showing any signs of tendency towards embracing Non-Proliferation Treaty and other international legally binding instruments in this regards."
—"Iran Urges Pressure on Israel To Accede to Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in ME," IRNA (Tehran), 17 September 2000, in FBIS Document IAP20000918000065, 18 September 2000.

19 September 2000
The New York Times reports that the United States has been pressing Russia not to proceed with plans to sell Iran laser technology. US officials say that this technology can be used to make nuclear weapons. Since July, US President Bill Clinton has raised the prospective sale of laser technology at least two times in meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin told Clinton that Russia would work with Washington to resolve the issue. Officials said it was scheduled to be discussed over the weekend by Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency. US officials said they were encouraged by Putin's statement but they also called the response ambiguous, due to the dual-use nature of the laser technology. The US administration complained about the possible sale of laser equipment after a US corporate nuclear fuel provider abandoned the project, deciding that it was not economically competitive in a civilian nuclear program. The United States apparently believes that the technology is too expensive for refining nuclear fuel for commercial use, and is mostly suited to producing fissile material for bombs. A US administration nuclear expert said he believes that the US team of experts had made a "very persuasive technical case" and that the equipment the Russian institute is trying to sell Iran could not be used efficiently for other than military purposes. "I cannot conceive of this type of equipment being used for any other purpose other than the one we are concerned about," the official said. Boris Yatsenko, director of the Science and Technology Center of Microtechnology, a unit of the Russian government's D.V. Efremow Institute of St. Petersburg, in an email sent to the New York Times, said his institute was planning to sell the equipment, which he said was solely for "medical, industrial, and scientific purposes." He said that the average power of the laser would be 15-20W. The American expert said that according to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the threshold for the type of "copper vapor" laser the institute is planning to sell Iran is 40W. While the institute's lasers are less powerful than the suppliers group threshold, "they can still be of concern," he added. "It depends on how Iran is planning to use them, on what other equipment Russian is selling, and what the entire system looks like." Yatsenko also stated, "Our scientists and technicians will execute maintenance and guarantee support of the deliverable equipment during agreed periods." He also made it clear that the organization did not need the government's approval because he stated that the equipment was purely for nonmilitary purposes.
—Judith Miller, "US Asks Putin Not to Sell Iran a Laser System," New York Times, 19 September 2000, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Judith Miller, "Russia Sends Mixed Signals on Laser System Sale to Iran," New York Times, 20 September 2000, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

20 September 2000
The Telegraph of London reports the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believes Iran's nuclear weapons capability is advancing at a rapid pace, sufficiently enough to allow Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching London or New York within the next decade. The CIA lists Iran as one of five countries that pose a risk to international security. Norman Schindler, Deputy Director of the CIA, says "Iran is attempting to develop the capability to produce both plutonium and highly enriched uranium, and it is actively pursuing the acquisition of fissile material and the expertise and technology necessary to form the material into nuclear weapons."
—Michael Smith, Calgary Herald, 27 September 2000, p. A15, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

21 September 2000
Russia halts the sale of laser technology to Iran because of US concerns it could used to make nuclear weapons. "We think that the equipment meant for Iran does not fall under limits of the international exports regime," says Yuri Bespalko, spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom). "Nevertheless, the topic is sensitive, especially for the United States, and a decision has been made to give the issue more thorough consideration. This is being done by two commissions, Russian and American." The technology would have come from the Yefremov Scientific Research Institute in St. Petersburg, part of Minatom. The institute's director of microtechnology says the equipment, with an average capacity of 15 to 20W, could be used only for medical, industrial, or scientific uses. Sources say the deal may go through if the Russian and American commissions conclude the technology cannot be used for military uses.
—"Russia: Experts Believe Freeze on Laser Deal With Iran 'Temporary'," Interfax (Moscow), 21 September 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20000921000163, 21 September 2000.

October 2000
Officials in Russia confirm that they will stop a shipment of a laser isotope separator to Iran, which the US government believes will be used for the production of weapons grade uranium. Yuri Bespalko, the head of public relation for the Russian Atomic Energy Ministry says in an interview that depending on approval by US and Russian commissions, the deal could proceed. Boris Yatsenko, the director of Microtechnology at the Yefremov Scientific Research Institute, the laboratory that was going to sell Iran the laser says that the laser, which is only 15-20W, is "intended 'only for medical, industrial and scientific purposes'." Also, at 15-20W, the laser is considerably lower than the 40W threshold imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a group of 34 countries that agreed to impose export controls on dual-use material that could be used for weapons production. The US Enrichment Corporation, a private nuclear fuel provider that inherited the US government's laser program says that though the technology works, it does not yield enough uranium to make it viable.
—Alex Wagner, "Moscow Puts Hold on Transfer of Laser Isotope Separator to Iran," Arms Control Today, October 2000, <http://www.armscontrol.org>, accessed 7 February 2002.

18 October 2000
Mohammad Khatami, Iran's president, tells Sergei Ivanov, secretary of Russia's National Security Council, that Iran has the right to use nuclear technology. Khatami stresses the importance of adhering to international norms related to nuclear technology, stating Iran's cooperation with Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Iran is testament to Iran's adherence to international law.
—"Khatami Stresses Right to Use Nuclear Technology," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 18 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com/>.

16 November 2000
Major General Uzi Dayan, head of the Israeli National Security Council, tells Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov that Israel is concerned about Russia's nuclear cooperation with Iran. Ivanov replies that Russia is helping Iran with the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
—"Israel-Russia's Ivanov-Transfer of Nuclear 'Know-How' to Iran to Continue," Haaretz (Tel Aviv), 16 November 2000, in FBIS Document GMP20001116000160, 16 November 2000.

28 November 2000
After visiting Iran, Russian State Duma Deputy Kurban-Ali Amirov says Iran is unhappy with the progress of construction at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He says the Iranians said Western companies work faster and are more specific about deadlines. He says the Iranians said "it has become hard to have dealings with Russian business."
—"Russia: Iran Displeased With Deadline For Completing Bushehr Nuclear Plant," Interfax (Moscow), 28 November 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20001128000216, 28 November 2000.

30 November 2000
Russian Atomic Energy Ministry spokesman Andrei Yedemsky says Russia will get a contract to build a second reactor at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a deal worth about $1 billion. [Note: See 14 January, 4 April and 22 May 2000.]
—"Russia To Build 2nd Unit At Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant," Interfax (Moscow), 30 November 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20001130000317, 30 November 2000.

14 December 2000
Russia and Iran issue a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, following a bilateral meeting in Tehran.
—"Russia, Iran Confirm Adherence To Nuclear Nonproliferation," Interfax (Moscow), 14 December 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20001217000050, 14 December 2000.

20 December 2000
The Iranian newspaper Hayat-e No reports that within the next year, Iranian authorities will permanently evacuate the villages surrounding the uncompleted Bushehr reactors. An unnamed official states, "A team of European experts is at the Bushehr site now to examine the possible effects of radiation" and adds that the two reactors are expected to be operational in 2004.
—Agence France-Presse, 20 December 2000; in Gulf 2000, <http://www1.columbia.edu>.

26 December 2000
The Atommash association in Volgodonsk begins shipping parts for the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
—Arkadiy Yuzhnyy, "'Putin's Lamp' Will Light Up In Iran," Segodnya (Moscow), 26 December 2000, in FBIS Document CEP20001226000143, 26 December 2000.

27 December 2000
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat of London reports that the United States is investigating a ring smuggling uranium and plutonium to Iran and Iraq from Ukraine. The ring was discovered when Bulgarian customs arrested on 29 May a Kurd named Hanafi Yukazan with a container of highly enriched uranium.
—"Bulgarian Sources: US Tracking Ring Smuggling Uranium, Plutonium to Iraq, Iran," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), 27 December 2000, in FBIS Document GMP20001227000062, 27 December 2000.