British agent exposed true purpose of Qom reactor

Iran revealed its nuclear facility near the holy city of Qom in late September after a British agent exposed its true purpose to the West, Ynet learned Tuesday.

American, British and Israeli satellites had documented construction works at the uranium enrichment site for years, but the West only learned of its true purpose from an MI-6 agent who was exposed by Iran.

Information proved by another Western intelligence agency coincided with the agent's findings.

A report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had told the UN nuclear watchdog that it had begun building the plant within a bunker beneath a mountain near Qom in 2007, but the IAEA had evidence the project had begun in 2002.

The Islamic Republic said it decided to report the existence of the plant due to its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran told the Vienna-based agency that the site, which is guarded by heavy anti-aircraft weaponry, wouldn't be operational for 18 months and that no centrifuges have been installed in it as of yet.

The White House responded to the development by urging Iran's complete and immediate cooperation with the IAEA. "After hiding this site from the international community for years, full transparency is essential, and it is time for Iran to play by the rules like everyone else," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in late September.

US President Barack Obama said at the time that evidence of Iran's building the underground plant "continues a disturbing pattern of Iranian evasion" that jeopardizes global nonproliferation.

Ynet