<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile Ñ Iran native copied, transferred nuclear software while employed at largest U.S. reactor

Iran native copied, transferred nuclear software while employed at largest U.S. reactor

Thursday, March 26, 2009   E-Mail this story   Free Headline Alerts

WASHINGTON Ñ Iran has gained access to U.S. nuclear power plants and detailed knowledge of their operations.

Officials said an Iranian native who worked for the plant relayed nuclear software to Teheran.

On Dec. 16, 2008, a federal court in Arizona sentenced the man to 15 months following his conviction of the illegal transfer of software to Iran.

The 51-year-old engineer, identified as Mohammed Reza Alavi, had been convicted in May 2008 as part of a plea bargain.

Alavi worked for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the United States. He told federal agents that he stole software designed for training in nuclear power operations. "We are pleased that both a jury and the judge recognized the serious nature of these crimes," U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa said.

Officials said Alavi worked at Palo Verde until 2006. Before his departure, they said, Alavi downloaded the training software to his personal laptop. The software was then relayed to Iran.

"A prison sentence is entirely appropriate to punish this defendant for his stealing of sensitive materials, given the potential threat to the security of information relating to a nuclear power plant," Ms. Humetewa said.

Officials said Iran has increased efforts to acquire nuclear and military components from the United States. They said the Teheran regime has established front companies and employed Iranian and other nationals to infiltrate sensitive U.S. facilities and companies.

In December 2008, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ratified security measures meant to protect nuclear power facilities from cyber attack. This marked the first of such measures since the Al Qaida strikes in the United States in 2001.

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