Iran could have more secret nuclear sites, warns UN nuclear watchdog

The International Atomic Energy Agency, in a report published today, said the previously secret site at Fordo was in "an advanced state of construction" and was scheduled to start up in 2011.

The US, along with Britain, France and Germany, claims that discovery of the Fordo site puts Iran in breach of its international treaty obligations. Although Iran reported its existence to the IAEA in September, the US said this was to pre-empt an announcement exposing the site.

Iran said work on the site only began in 2007 but the US said it started in 2002-04 and, after a pause, resumed in 2006.

The IAEA reprimanded Iran, saying its "failure to notify the agency of the new facility until September 2009 was inconsistent with its obligations".