Iran installs two new assemblies centrifuges at nuclear site

Source: CCTV.com | 02-06-2007 15:27

Iran has recently installed two new assemblies of 164 centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear site, a major leap in its uranium enrichment program.

This comes despite several warnings from the United Nations to further sanctions, if Iran continues to push ahead with its controversial nuclear program.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on 23rd December 2006. It makes demands on Iran to suspend all enrichment-related and processing activities within 60 days. This deadline is drawing near. However, a defiant Iran is still planning even more industrialized nuclear programs.

In an underground section of its uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, Iranian nuclear experts have just concluded the installation of two new assemblies of centrifuges. In the process, uranium gas is spun at supersonic speed in a connected array of centrifuges to purify it. Uranium enriched to around 5 percent can be used as fuel for a nuclear reactor. If it's enriched to 95 percent, it can be used to build a warhead.

Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying the country will celebrate its stabilization and full right to enrich uranium at the facility.

However, Iran may face even harsher sanctions from the UN Security Council if it fails to meet the deadline and end its uranium enrichment activities.

Editor:Du Xiaodan