The IAEA keeps close tabs on Iran's nuclear program, and its inspections role is set to grow under July's hard-fought deal, which defused a standoff dating back to 2002.
But the Vienna-based watchdog has also long sought to clear up allegations that until 2003, and possibly since, Iran also secretly sought to develop an actual nuclear weapon.
After stalling for many years, Iran agreed in July to cooperate with the IAEA to address the claims, which it has always rejected, allowing inspectors to visit sites and providing additional information.
As a result the IAEA on Dec. 2 released a "final assessment" — even though it did not receive all the information it sought — concluding that some of the allegations were indeed accurate.
It said Iran conducted "a range of activities relevant to the development" of a nuclear bomb before the end of 2003 in a "coordinated effort," and that some activities continued until 2009.
It stressed though that these "did not advance beyond feasibility and scientific studies" and that there was no evidence that Iran diverted nuclear material such as uranium or plutonium to these efforts.
But despite the findings, the six major powers — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, who co-authored the IAEA resolution — have decided to move on.
Despite Iran's "long history of concealment, denial and deception," the July deal is "forward-looking," the U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, Henry Ensher, said Tuesday.
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