Twitter
Advertisement

Iran to test uranium enrichment in defiance of UN demands

Iran has set up centrifuges in two underground nuclear plants and will test them soon as it moves towards the industrial-level enrichment of uranium.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

VIENNA: Iran has set up centrifuges in two underground nuclear plants and will test them soon as it moves towards the industrial-level enrichment of uranium in defiance of UN demands, diplomats said on Monday.   

"The Iranians have put together at least two cascades" of 164 centrifuges, said a diplomat who closely monitors both Iran and the Vienna-based UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).   

"It is a matter of hours, or of days, before the Iranians test the centrifuges on a vacuum, prior to putting in the UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) gas used to make enriched uranium," said the diplomat on condition of anonymity.   

A second diplomat said he doubted the Iranian leaders would wait as long as the anniversary celebrations for the Islamic revolution on February 11, when they were expected to make a major announcement on their nuclear programme.   

The diplomats were speaking after reports last week that Iran has begun the installation of 3,000 centrifuges in a huge underground bunker at its main nuclear facility in the central town of Natanz.   

IAEA inspectors were in Natanz last week. The escalation in the international showdown over an Iranian nuclear programme which the United States says hides a secret weapons programme comes after the UN Security Council imposed sanctions in December to force Tehran to halt enrichment.   

Washington has said it will await a report from IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear programme, expected to be released on February 22, before drawing any conclusions about Iran's reported activities.   

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement