Iran Resumes Enrichment of Uranium

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Associated Press | February 14, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has resumed small-scale enrichment of uranium, a senior Iranian negotiator said Tuesday, showing the country was determined to proceed with its nuclear development despite international moves to restrict it.

The deputy secretary of the Supreme National Council, Javad Vaeidi, told reporters that uranium enrichment was resumed last week at Iran's main enrichment plant in Natanz.

Asked if Iran had resumed large-scale enrichment, Vaeidi replied: "No."

"We need time to have 60,000 centrifuges," he said, referring to the devices used in the process.

Uranium enriched to a low degree can be used for nuclear reactors, while highly enriched uranium is suitable for warheads.

Iran had warned it would resume enrichment of uranium in retaliation for having been reported to the U.N. Security Council earlier this month because of concerns over its nuclear program.

Iran further retaliated for the U.N. nuclear agency's decision by abruptly postponing talks with Moscow on a plan to enrich Tehran's uranium on Russian territory.

The talks with Russia had been slated for Thursday but were postponed indefinitely, the Iranian presidential spokesman said.

However a Russia news agency reported Tuesday that Iran asked Russia for only a four-day delay, until Feb. 20.

RIA-Novosti quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying that Tehran had requested the delay for "technical reasons."

Iran maintains its nuclear program is designed solely to generate electricity. But the United States and some U.S. allies claim the program is a cover for producing a nuclear bomb.

Moscow has proposed that Iran ship its uranium to Russia, where it would be enriched to a level suitable for nuclear reactors, rather than weapons.

China said urged the meetings with Russia take place as planned.

"China expresses its concern over the current development of the Iran nuclear issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular briefing.

He said, "China hopes that the talks between Russia and Iran can be held on schedule and achieve positive results."

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