Diplomats affiliated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Iran has begun to process small quantities of uranium gas in centrifuges activated in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The officials said the quantity of uranium gas currently being enriched is not enough to fuel a nuclear energy or weapons program, but that it does show the advanced stage of Iran's effort to acquire nuclear power.
Ha'aretz reported on Wednesday that a group of 15 Israeli lawmakers from parties spanning the political spectrum will soon fan out across Europe and Asia to further explain the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran. European and Asian powers have thus far prevented the United States from using the UN to impose the kind of crushing sanctions needed to bring Iran's nuclear program to a halt.
Many Israeli and US experts warn that Iran could build a nuclear weapon by the end of next year.