U.S. condemns Iran decision to start uranium enrichment RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED January 11, 2012 Washington slammed on Tuesday the Iranian government’s decision to begin uranium enrichment operations at a facility near the city of Qom in the country’s north. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday confirmed that Iran had started enriching uranium to the 20-percent level at its Fordo plant. “This step once again demonstrates the Iranian regime's blatant disregard for its responsibilities and that the country's growing isolation is self-inflicted,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement. Clinton lamented that the construction of the new plant in Qom had been carried out secretly for three years. “Iran only declared the Qom facility to the IAEA after it was discovered by the international community following three years of covert construction. Iran has announced it intends to consolidate and increase its production of uranium enriched to a near 20 percent level at this facility,” she said. “There is no plausible justification for this production. Such enrichment brings Iran a significant step closer to having the capability to produce weapons-grade highly enriched uranium,” Clinton said. The state secretary said Tehran’s statement that the decision was necessary to produce fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is “false.” “We call upon Iran to immediately cease uranium enrichment and to comply with its international nuclear obligations. We also call on Iran to return to negotiations with the P5+1 [five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany],” Clinton said. Western nations suspect Iran, already under a few sets of international sanctions, of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program but Tehran insists it needs nuclear power solely for civilian purposes. Other news: Russia, U.S. ink uranium enrichment pact for 2013-2022 Sergey Kiriyenko and Daniel Poneman signed the agreement. Iran Busher to enter full operation in March 2012 – agency In September, Iran officially opened Bushehr which was completed with Russia's assistance after a long delay. Russia launches fourth unit at Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant Unit went online on Monday. |
Hero of the day Iran views of its nuclear issue It is difficult to say what will happen next, especially since the international community is split into two opposing camps on this issue. This article will analyze both of them, also taking into account the situation in Tehran. INTERVIEW
Georgy Toshinsky OPINION
Konstantin Bogdanov |