SCARY
U.N.: Iran Accelerating Nuclear Program
Samuel Kubani / AFP-Getty Images
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukio Amano gives a press conference after the opening of the board of governors conference at agency headquarters in Vienna on June 6, 2011. Amano turned up the heat on Syria and Iran -- both accused of illicit nuclear activity. Tehran and Damascus are both accused of actively blocking the International Atomic Energy Agency's long-running investigations into illegal nuclear activity. AFP PHOTO / SAMUEL KUBANI (Photo credit should read SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images)
The United Nations nuclear watchdog says Iran appears to be accelerating its nuclear program. A report based on inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities last month says the country has installed more-advanced machines for enriching uranium and moved them underground, where they'll be less vulnerable to airstrikes. The report also expresses concern that Iranian scientists are researching nuclear-warhead designs. Iran maintains that its program is peaceful, and the upgraded enrichment machines are for medical purposes.