A German intelligence report has revealed that Iran sought to produce weapons of mass destruction, and these efforts continued until 2020, which are likely still ongoing according to the new intelligence report from a German government security agency.
According to the report, Iran is working to expand "its arsenal of weapons by producing or upgrading nuclear-capable weapons," as stated in the German intelligence report published by the Washington Free Beacon. The report provides the strongest evidence to date that Iran is misleading the world about the nature of its nuclear program.
While the Biden administration seeks to re-enter the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and lift the harsh economic sanctions imposed on the country, Tehran continues to claim that its nuclear program is peaceful in nature. However, Iran recently began enriching uranium, the primary fuel for a nuclear weapon, to levels of up to 60%, which is only used to create an atomic bomb. Iran is also continuing to manufacture and test ballistic missiles, which are primarily used to deliver nuclear warheads over long distances.
The findings in the German intelligence report directly contradict claims by Iranian leaders that the country has no interest in building a nuclear bomb. It remains unclear how the report will impact negotiations with Iran involving the United States and Germany. The German government under Chancellor Angela Merkel was one of the main supporters of the nuclear agreement and the reopening of trade relations with Iran.
According to a part of the report, to obtain the necessary knowledge and essential components, "Iran sought to establish business contacts with German companies working in high technology." The German report also found that Iran is conducting complex espionage activities in the country. Germany is one of several European countries where Iranian spies operate.
The report concludes that "Germany remains at the center of intelligence activities," including information on foreign and security policies as well as business and science. The report states that Iranian intelligence agencies are also involved in "monitoring and combating opposition groups, both internally and externally," indicating that the Iranian leadership continues to prioritize monitoring regime opponents living abroad.
The German report also indicates that North Korea, Syria, and Pakistan have engaged in similar efforts for weapons of mass destruction. Benjamin Weinthal, a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that the findings from the German intelligence agency reinforce "what has been revealed in dozens of German intelligence reports each year since the troublesome Iranian nuclear deal in 2015: the Iranian regime continues to pursue technology aimed at building nuclear weapons and expanding its conventional missile arsenal."
Weinthal added that "Merkel ignored these disturbing findings presented by her intelligence agencies." Instead, the chancellor "preferred the Iranian nuclear deal to advance her country’s trade deals with Tehran's rulers." He said, "If Germany is serious about ensuring Israel's security and the stability of the Middle East, it will prevent any concessions to the Iranian regime in Vienna-based Iran talks."
