Iran's controversial nuke program suffering setback over technical problems: Western experts

New York, Oct 18 (ANI): Western diplomats and nuclear experts have warned that Iran's nuclear program, which suffered a heavy setback after a reported cyberattack last year, appears to be faltering because of poorly performing equipments, shortages of parts and other such problems.

Although Iran continues to stockpile enriched uranium in defiance of U.N. resolutions, two new reports have claimed that the country's nuclear program is in a problematic state, as scientists are struggling to keep older equipment working, the Washington Post reports.

Iran has vowed to replace the older machines with models that are faster and more efficient.

However, an Institute for Science and International Security report has suggested that new centrifuges recently introduced at Natanz contain parts made from an inferior type of metal that is weaker and more prone to failure.

"Without question, they have been set back," David Albright, president of the institute and a former inspector for the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has said.

Although the problems are not fatal for Iran's nuclear ambitions, they have "hurt Iran's ability to break out quickly" into the ranks of the world's nuclear powers, he added.

Western diplomats and nuclear experts say Iranian officials have been frustrated and angered by the program's numerous setbacks, including deadly attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists. Four Iranian scientists have been killed by unidentified assailants since 2007, and a fifth narrowly escaped death in an attempted car-bombing.

Almost five years ago, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had imposed its first round of sanctions against Iran over the allegations that it might be moving toward developing nuclear weapons. Since that time, four rounds of sanctions have been imposed on the country by the Security Council and several European nations, including Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and others joined the march of imposing sanctions over its nuclear program. (ANI)