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Iran has been trying without success to obtain Norwegian missile technology for possible use in delivering nuclear weapons, Norway's security chief said on Monday.
Janne Kristiansen, general director of the Norwegian Police Security Service, told Reuters Iran had approached small Norwegian companies that sell "special components that can ... be used in weapons of mass destruction, for building missiles".
Iranian efforts the past year, she said, targeted dual-use technology suitable for civilian products as well as advanced missiles like those that Norwegian contractor Kongsberg Defence Systems <KOG.OL> makes for several NATO navies and air forces.
"There are many (companies in Norway) that supply missile technology," she said. "I am not pointing the finger at one company."
The West fears Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge, saying its nuclear programme is for producing electricity.
Kongsberg Defence spokesman Ronny Lie said his company had hundreds of suppliers.
"We are a large state-owned company that always follows a strict export regime in our dealing with other nations," he said. "I would assume Iran knows that. So that's why if they do make approaches it would probably be to small companies."
He added that Kongsberg "has been aware of the general problem for a long time".
Kristiansen said her agency discovered Iran's attempts and stepped in before sensitive technology was passed.
In an assessment of Norwegian security threats that was published on Monday, her agency described "very pushy behaviour" by supposed commercial actors from Iran who would often inquire about innocuous products first.
They would then widen their wish list to include sensitive goods "and often make various proposals for transport and financing to circumvent Norwegian export regulations", the agency said.
In its written assessment the agency did not specify missile technology as Iran's target, as Kristiansen did in an interview. Nor were any companies named.
Kristiansen said no Norwegian firms had been prosecuted because investigators lacked proof of intent to violate export controls or United Nations sanctions banning the sale of nuclear weapons-related technology to Iran.
When asked if some firms have intentionally skirted regulations, she said: "Some do."
Janne Kristiansen, general director of the Norwegian Police Security Service, told Reuters Iran had approached small Norwegian companies that sell "special components that can ... be used in weapons of mass destruction, for building missiles".
Iranian efforts the past year, she said, targeted dual-use technology suitable for civilian products as well as advanced missiles like those that Norwegian contractor Kongsberg Defence Systems <KOG.OL> makes for several NATO navies and air forces.
"There are many (companies in Norway) that supply missile technology," she said. "I am not pointing the finger at one company."
The West fears Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge, saying its nuclear programme is for producing electricity.
Kongsberg Defence spokesman Ronny Lie said his company had hundreds of suppliers.
"We are a large state-owned company that always follows a strict export regime in our dealing with other nations," he said. "I would assume Iran knows that. So that's why if they do make approaches it would probably be to small companies."
He added that Kongsberg "has been aware of the general problem for a long time".
Kristiansen said her agency discovered Iran's attempts and stepped in before sensitive technology was passed.
In an assessment of Norwegian security threats that was published on Monday, her agency described "very pushy behaviour" by supposed commercial actors from Iran who would often inquire about innocuous products first.
They would then widen their wish list to include sensitive goods "and often make various proposals for transport and financing to circumvent Norwegian export regulations", the agency said.
In its written assessment the agency did not specify missile technology as Iran's target, as Kristiansen did in an interview. Nor were any companies named.
Kristiansen said no Norwegian firms had been prosecuted because investigators lacked proof of intent to violate export controls or United Nations sanctions banning the sale of nuclear weapons-related technology to Iran.
When asked if some firms have intentionally skirted regulations, she said: "Some do."
