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Iran uranium enrichment capacity 'doubled'
31 August 2012The number of centrifuges at Iran's Fordo nuclear facility has doubled in the last three months, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
More than 1,000 centrifuges have been installed at the Fordo site in recent weeks, the latest quarterly IAEA report claims. Although the new centrifuges are not yet operational, they mean the facility, near the city of Qom, now has just under 2,100 of the 2,800 required for full operational capacity.
Iran is also said to have extensively "cleansed" a site at Parchin where a previous report claimed explosive tests had been carried out which could only be related to a nuclear weapons programme. The activities at Parchin were a key part of the IAEA's November 2011 report on Iran's nuclear programme.
May's quarterly report found that Iran had enriched some uranium at the Fordo site up to 27 per cent, and the country had enriched around 189kg above the grade required for a civil nuclear power programme.
Iran has said the 27 per cent result may have been accidental or mistaken reading, and the country insists there is no military scope to its uranium enrichment activity.
The IAEA has again said that it cannot confirm that all of Iran's uranium enrichment activity is for civilian purposes.
HAVE YOUR SAY
03 September 2012
If Romney wins there will be war with Iran, Netanyahu is gagging for military action and is very close to Romney. If Obama is returned I think Netanyahu will be restrained for the next four years.
Effectively the Americans will be deciding on war or not yet it will hardly feature in the election.
The Israeli's have already decided the Iranian nuclear program is an existential threat and must be destroyed or seriously delayed and AIPAC will follow that lead and get US congressional support with Romney as POTUS.
Graham - High Wycombe
03 September 2012
If the UN is still convinced it's for peaceful purposes, nothing will be done. And Russia and China will block any action anyway - again. Even when Iran starts demanding a permanent seat on the Security Council or starts making bombs for its mates.
AlMiles - Bristol, UK
04 September 2012
Has anybody considered that Iran may feel Israel's nuclear capability is a threat to them.....?
Just saying.
To clarify, I do not support the notion of a nuclear armed Iran, just pointing out the hypocrisy.
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
04 September 2012
AlMiles - Bristol, UK
Actually the UN isn't convinced because the IAEA isn't convinced. Also any action would never have a UN mandate any more than Iraq or Kosovo did. If states want to act it is up to them whether a UN mandate is necessary.
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
Yes there is hypocrisy particularly as the creation of Israel wiped Palestine off the map however it is not Israel's stated aim to wipe any other nation off the map whereas Iran has stated it would like to see Israel eliminated.
Graham - High Wycombe