Spying used to stop Iran's nuclear drive

Diplomacy is not enough to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the head of Britain's foreign spy service said Thursday, urging an "intelligence-led" approach to stopping nuclear proliferation.

In an unprecedented public speech, Secret Intelligence Service Chief John Sawers revealed that intelligence activities were responsible for Iran's admission last year of a second enrichment plant, which in turn led to tougher diplomatic pressure.

"Stopping nuclear proliferation cannot be addressed purely by conventional diplomacy. We need intelligence-led operations to make it more difficult for countries such as Iran to develop nuclear weapons," he said.

"The dangers of proliferation of nuclear weapons and chemical and biological weapons are more far-reaching. It can alter the whole balance of power in a region," said Sawers, whose century-old service is popularly known as MI6.

He also defended his service against allegations by human rights groups of complicity in abuse of prisoners overseas by Britain's foreign intelligence partners.

"Torture is illegal and abhorrent under any circumstances, and we have nothing whatsoever to do with it," he said.

Sawers' comments come as six world powers seek to resume talks with Iran over its nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for civilian peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile, the New York Times has reported that Washington and its European allies are putting together a new offer for talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but the offer would include tougher conditions for an atomic fuel swap than those rejected by Tehran last year.

The newspaper cited a senior US official as saying the Obama administration and its partners were "very close to having an agreement" on a position to present to Tehran in negotiations that the West hopes will get under way next month.

Tehran, despite welcoming the offer of talks, has yet to formally reply to the invitation for talks to be held November 15 to 17 in Vienna.

Agencies