Iran is actively trying to buy nuclear technology through blacklisted companies, according to a confidential UN report that surfaced April 30.
The allegations were reported to the UN by Britain. If confirmed, they would violate UN sanctions and add to concerns over whether Tehran can be trusted to adhere to any negotiated agreement to restrict sensitive nuclear work.
The report comes just weeks after world powers reached a framework deal with Iran on curbing its nuclear program.
Britain informed the UN sanctions panel on April 20 that it "is aware of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network which has been associated with Iran's Centrifuge Technology Company and Kalay Electric Company," according to the report, which was shown to AFP and Reuters on April 30.
Both Iranian companies have been blacklisted because of their nuclear activities. The UN panel said it has not as yet investigated the allegations, which it received on April 21.