Western officials were unable to detect atomic programs in North Korea. Photo: http://www.conservativecommune.com.

Their inability to detect clandestine atomic programs in Iraq and North Korea shadows Western officials as they seek to curb Iran’s known nuclear activities and keep it from pursuing others in secret.

Closing loopholes in the current nonproliferation system is a key aim for the United States and its five big power partners as they negotiate an agreement with Iran to constrain its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions.

Read full story at Reuters.