Iran 'enters new nuclear phase'

[OrangeEmpire]

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iran 'enters new nuclear phase'

Iran can now produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale, President Ahmadinejad has announced, in a move likely to further strain tensions with the West


He gave no details of Iran's capacity, but some officials said 3,000 uranium gas enrichment centrifuges were running at the Natanz plant in central Iran.

Mr Ahmadinejad's speech came as Iran celebrated nuclear technology day.
Iran maintains its nuclear programme is purely peaceful, but the West fears it wants to build atomic bombs.

The UN has passed two packages of sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

A US spokesman said the White House was "very concerned" about the Iranian announcement.
"Iran continues to defy the international community and further isolate itself by expanding its nuclear programme, rather than suspending uranium enrichment," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Iran to follow the Security Council resolution.
"I sincerely hope that, even at this time, when the Iranian government is undergoing Security Council sanctions, that they should engage in dialogue.... It is very important for any member country to fully comply with the Security Council resolution," he told reporters.

An EU spokesman renewed calls for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, AFP news agency reported. "This does nothing to change our position - Iran must co-operate fully with the IAEA and follow the United Nations resolutions," said Ton Van Lierop, a spokesman for the European Commission.

Thoughts?

 

[OWB]

When the cat's away, the mice will play.

 

[dan4vols]

I think that the world community allowed a nation who has a history of rash and unpredictable behavior just become seriously dangerous. I've said it before the clock is now ticking, the day that comes the Israelis think the Iranians will launch, the Israelis will launch theirs the day before. With China and Russia backing Iran the book of Revelations looks more with each passing world nightly newscast like a script.

 

[OWB]

the book of Revelations looks more with each passing world nightly newscast like a script.

Never underestimate the power of suggestion.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Shocking. A nation with a dismal human rights record, a viable WMD program, support of Al Qaeda, funding and training known terrorist groups, and very oppressive regime violates UN resolutions....one we invade and the other we allow to become even more powerful....

 

[emainvol]

yes, Iran has always been an exponentially larger threat than Iraq. Chalk it up as another of this administration's gaffes.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Never underestimate the power of suggestion.

Well, that's the happiest thought I've read today. Thanks!