China aided inquiry on Iran

VIENNA —  China gave the International Atomic Energy Agency intelligence about Iran’s nuclear program despite Beijing’s opposition to harsh U.N. Security Council sanctions on Tehran, according to two senior diplomats familiar with the matter.

United Nations Security Council members China and Russia have consistently watered down a U.S.-led push for severe penalties against Tehran. A Chinese decision to provide information for an inquiry into Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program could be a sign of growing international unease about the Islamic Republic’s denials that it tried to build nuclear weapons.

The IAEA declined to comment. The diplomats, who requested anonymity because their information was confidential, said China was the most surprising of a substantial list of nations that have recently forwarded information.