WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has determined that Iran seeks to assemble nuclear weapons.

A State Department report said Iran has been conducting activities that point to a nuclear weapons program. The report, released on Aug. 30, said that as early as 1993 the United States determined that Iran was interested in developing nuclear weapons and related technology.

As a result, Washington has determined that Iran was in the early stages of developing a nuclear weapons program, with an emphasis on acquiring centrifuge technology. In 1968, Iran signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"Based on the totality of the available information, the United States assesses that Iran is pursuing a program to develop nuclear weapons," the report said. "Aspects of this activity are in violation of Iran 's NPT commitments."