Despite denials and years of obstruction by Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Dec. 2 that the Islamic Republic was actively working to design a nuclear weapon until 2009. The report detailed a long list of experiments Iran had conducted that were “relevant to a nuclear explosive device.”

In the 15-page report, the agency was blunt in its assessment that Iran had a coordinated program to develop nuclear weapons until 2003, and a less-structured effort until 2009.

“The agency’s overall assessment is that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place after 2003,” the U.N. agency said. “The agency has no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009.”

The completion of the report is one of the steps that Iran had to take — along with dismantling centrifuges and shipping nuclear fuel out of the country — before sanctions could be lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The U.N. agency specifically requested access to Iranian scientists, documents and military sites believed to have been part of this clandestine program as mandated by numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions. But despite Iran’s obligation to cooperate with the IAEA, authorities in Teheran failed to give substantive answers to many of the dozen specific questions or documents it was asked about, including alleged work on detonators for a nuclear bomb, leaving open the question of how much progress it had made.

“Iran’s deceit and refusal to cooperate fully with the IAEA investigation, the efforts to ‘sanitize’ critical sites such as the military site in Parchin, raise questions about Iran’s willingness to comply with its obligations under the nuclear agreement,” said Steven Dishler, assistant vice president of JUF’s Jewish Community Relations Council.

Sen. Mark Kirk issued a statement saying, “Today’s IAEA assessment raises more questions about Iran’s nuclear weapons program than it answers. The only clear point is that Iran stonewalled inspectors. It’s critical that the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors continue Agency investigations until Iran comes clean on all activities. Regardless of the Administration’s flip-flops on whether Iran should come clean, international inspectors should uncover the complete truth.”

As of Dec. 4, JUF has not received other statements by the Illinois Congressional delegation.