Iran Infiltrated IAEA Electronics, Officials Allege

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Iran has allegedly tried to glean data from portable computers and cellular telephones left by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors carrying out nuclear safeguards checks in the Middle Eastern country, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday (see GSN, May 16).

(May. 18) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, shown last year. Clinton and Ashton on Tuesday pressed Iran to join new multilateral discussions aimed at resolving the dispute over its atomic activities (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images).

The Vienna-based nuclear watchdog is looking into "a range of events, ranging from those where it is certain something has happened to suppositions" during first three months of 2011, one IAEA member nation diplomat said. Agency officials had first informed the U.N. organization of "unusual events" pointing to possible interference with their computers and phones, the official added.

Two additional IAEA member nation diplomats verified key elements of the allegations. Agency spokeswoman Gill Tudor declined to address the matter.

Inspectors typically place their cellular telephones inside closed and signed envelopes while conducting safeguards visits, which are intended to ensure that civilian atomic operations are not turned toward military purposes, one U.N. nuclear watchdog official said. Portable computers are either similarly sealed in envelopes or placed inside secured containers. Inspectors occasionally leave such computers behind in temporary lodgings after working hours, the official said Full article