Iran nuclear chief: uranium enrichment program to continue unchanged
A general view of the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, is seen on April 9, 2007, 180 miles south of Tehran, Iran. On April 9, 2007, Iran stepped up their Uranium enrichment programme, with up to 3,000 isotope separating centrifuges now in operation. On Thursday, the IAEA said that the country has begun installing advanced centrifuges while simultaneously reducing the stockpiling of uranium.
Iran has no plans to change its uranium enrichment program following the election of moderate politician Hassan Rouhani as president on June 14, Iran’s atomic energy agency chief said this week.
More from GlobalPost: Iran elects moderate Hassan Rouhani as new president (VIDEO)
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, given its forward movement and according to its national plans for future progress, intends to produce about 20,000 megawatts of nuclear-generated electricity (by 2020),” Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani said at a nuclear energy conference in St Petersburg, according to Tehran News.
Abbasi-Davani announced that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, which the UN said had been shut down in May, was “brought back online” this week, Reuters reported.
He also said Iran would continue to refine uranium at its underground Fordow plant. Western countries would like to see that plant closed, since it enriches uranium to a level that’s relatively close to what is needed to make atom bombs, Reuters reported.
Iran claims it enriches uranium for power and medical purposes only.
More from GlobalPost: Iran increasing its ability to produce nuclear bombs: IAEA report
There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 319 donors who have supported The World so far? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact!