VIENNA (Reuters) – Intelligence agency reports indicating that Iran imported large quantities of a substance which could be used in a nuclear weapon appear unfounded, Western diplomats said on Friday.

But the diplomats, briefed on an investigation by the United Nations, said there was evidence that Iran had tried to buy significant quantities of the substance — beryllium metal — and that the U.N. nuclear watchdog was aware of the attempts.

Beryllium metal has civilian uses, but some officials believe Iran wanted to combine it with another substance in a bomb.

The United States and the European Union fear Iran harbors nuclear weapons ambitions, and on Thursday Vice President Dick Cheney said the Muslim nation was at the top of the administration’s list of world trouble spots.

President Bush said earlier this week he would not rule out the use of force against Iran if it continued to “stonewall” the international community.
Full Article: nytimes.com/reuters

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