The Smoking Gun in Iran»

UN nuclear inspectors in Iran have found components of an advanced uranium enrichment centrifuge that Tehran had failed to declare in the full disclosure on its atomic program, diplomats said.

A diplomat close to the International Atomic Energy Agency said IAEA inspectors had found "design components of a G-2 centrifuge," an advanced model of what is the crucial machine used in configurations of hundreds of gas centrifuges to enrich uranium for either civilian power use or for making an atomic bomb.

It was not clear if this new discovery would be the "smoking gun" the IAEA could use to take Iran before the UN Security Council, where it could face sanctions.

One diplomat said the centrifuges found would have to be an actual hidden production facility, rather than just research work, in order to breach Iran's claim to have suspended uranium enrichment as a confidence-building measure with the IAEA.

Another diplomat said that if the IAEA found designs for actual weapons, "that would be the smoking gun, that's the killer" since Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

The IAEA had given Iran an ultimatum that expired last October 31 for the Islamic Republic to reveal all details of its nuclear program and is preparing a report on Iranian compliance which is to be released over the next few days to the 35 board member nations ahead of the March 8 meeting.

IAEA officials refused to comment but a diplomat said: "There's been some 'R and D' going on," referring wryly to hidden research and development activities by the Iranians.