Ex-Iran President: Iran Considered Nuclear Weapons During 1980s Iraq War

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Reuters: Iran considered nuclear weapons during 1980s Iraq war, ex-president says

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran considered pursuing a nuclear deterrent when it began its nuclear programme in the 1980s, during an eight-year war with Iraq, a former president has been quoted as saying.

Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's comments comes at a sensitive moment, as Iran implements an agreement reached with world powers in July aimed at curbing its nuclear programme, to allay Western fears it was trying to build an atomic bomb.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, is investigating whether Iran's nuclear programme ever had a military application. It is due to issue a report by Dec. 15.

Throughout the negotiations, Iran insisted its programme had only ever been for peaceful purposes.

WNU Editor: What I find rather revealing about this "confession" is the admission that Pakistan was more than willing to assist Iran in getting the bomb .... Pakistan sold Iran nuke technology in 1980s, former President Rafsanjani reveals (Indian Express). More here .... Former Iranian President: Pakistani Bomb Dealer Helped Launch Tehran’s Nuclear Program (The Tower).

More News On Former Iranian President Rafsanjani Admitting That Iran Considered A Nuclear Bomb Program During the Iran - Iraq War

Rafsanjani: Iran Considered Nuclear Deterrent In 1980s -- RFE
Report: Former president admits Iran pursuing nuclear weapons -- Haaretz
Former Iranian President Admits to Country’s Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons -- Algemeiner
Iran has always had a covert nuclear weapons program: Rafsanjani -- i24 News
Rafsanjani’s admissions -- NCRI