Iran plans to build 10 new uranium enrichment facilities during the next Iranian year, its atomic energy chief was quoted as saying, in comments likely to further raise tension with the West.
The statement by Ali Akbar Salehi yesterday evening comes after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier instructed Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation to start work on producing higher-grade nuclear fuel for a Tehran reactor.
Iran's announcement raised the stakes in its dispute with the West, but Ahmadinejad said talks were still possible on a nuclear swap offer by world powers designed to allay fears the Islamic Republic is making an atomic bomb.
Mr Salehi, who heads the Atomic Energy Organisation, also said Iran would start producing uranium enriched to a level of 20 per cent tomorrow, in the presence of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said Iran will formally inform the Vienna-based UN agency about the move in a letter on Monday, Iran's Arabic-language television station al Alam reported. He earlier said production would take place at Iran's Natanz site.
But Mr Salehi also suggested production would be halted if Iran received fuel enriched to 20 per cent from abroad. Iran has expressed readiness to exchange its low-enriched uranium for higher-grade fuel, but wants amendments to the UN-drafted plan.
"Iran would halt its enrichment process for the Tehran research reactor any time it receives the necessary fuel for it," Mr Salehi said.
Iran in November announced plans to build 10 new enrichment plants in a major expansion of its atomic programme, but did not specify the timeframe. The West fears Iran's nuclear work is aimed at making bombs. Tehran denies the charge.
"Iran will set up 10 uranium enrichment centres next year," al Alam quoted Mr Salehi as saying. The Iranian year starts on March 21st.
Analysts have expressed scepticism whether sanctions-bound Iran, which has problems obtaining materials and components abroad, would be able to equip and operate 10 new plants.
Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and, if refined much further, provide material for bombs. Iran currently enriches uranium to a level of 3.5 per cent. A nuclear bomb would require 80 per cent or more.
Iran's announcement raised serious concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions, a senior US administration official said.
"This announcement is a provocative move in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. The Iranian government knows that this will not meet the humanitarian needs of the Iranian people, and risks creating more regional instability," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday about its decision to enrich uranium at its Natanz plant to a level of 20 percent for use in a reactor producing medical isotopes, compared with the 3.5 per cent it makes now.
"Iran cannot fabricate the fuel for the Tehran Research reactor in time to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medical isotopes, which calls into question the true motivation of going from 3.5 percent to 20 per cent enrichment," the official said.
"The IAEA's proposal is the most practical and responsible solution - it would address Iran's humanitarian need and build international confidence in Iranian intentions," the official said.
Reuters