Written question asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2004. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his latest assessment is of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear programme.

Answer: Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear programme. [195905] Mr. MacShane: The Government continues to be concerned about Iranian programmes to enrich uranium, which could be used to produce weapons- grade fissile material for use in a nuclear weapons programme. These activities appear to be inconsistent with the planned extent of Iran's civil nuclear power programme, and have, in some cases, been pursued covertly for many years.

Secondary information