Iran has signalled further progress in its disputed nuclear programme today, with a senior official quoted as saying it was capable of "mass production" of centrifuges used for enriching uranium.
Iran signalled further progress in its disputed nuclear programme today, with a senior
official quoted as saying it was capable of "mass production" of centrifuges used for enriching uranium.
"We have obtained the technology for mass production of centrifuges," Ali Akbar Velayati, an international affairs adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by the Jomohouri Eslaminewspaper.
Iran is embroiled in a deepening standoff with the West over its atomic ambitions. Major powers suspect it is seeking to build bombs but Tehran says it only wants to generate electricity so that it can export more of its oil and gas.
"One day Iran had problems to produce one centrifuge but right now we have obtained the technology for mass production of centrifuges," Mr Velayati said.
He also made clear Iran 's determination not to bow to Western pressure and give up its atomic work, indicating that if Tehran did so the West would only step up pressure in other areas.
"If we retreat in our nuclear issues tomorrow they (Western powers) will have a problem with our missiles development."