Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Producing Enriched Uranium

 ***Update***

Matt Drudge is reporting: Iran's nuclear chief says Tehran has produced 110 tons of uranium gas, the feedstock for enrichment, nearly twice the amount previously known... Developing...

Iran’s former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani delivers a sermon during Friday prayers in Tehran, February 3, 2006. Iran is producing enriched uranium from 164 centrifuges, Rafsanjani told Kuwait’s KUNA news agency on Tuesday.

Reuters: Iran producing atomic fuel, Rafsanjani says

Iran is producing enriched uranium from 164 centrifuges, influential former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told Kuwait’s KUNA news agency on Tuesday.

“We operated the first unit which comprises of 164 centrifuges, gas was injected, and we got the industrial output,” he said.

From the Kuwait News Agency and Associated Press:

Iran has enriched uranium for the first time using 164 centrifuges, a major development in its fuel cycle technology, news agencies quoted a former president as saying Tuesday.The announcement by former President Hashemi Rafsanjani was the first disclosure that Iran had successfully enriched uranium since February, when it began research at its enrichment facility in the town of Natanz.

“Iran has put into operation the first unit of 164 centrifuges, has injected (uranium) gas and has reached industrial production,” the Kuwait News Agency quoted Rafsanjani as saying.

“We should expand the work of these machines to achieve a full industrial line. We need dozens of these units (sets of 164 centrifuges) to achieve a uranium enrichment facility,” he said.

And Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had foretold this announcement.
Reuters: Iran: expect “good nuclear news” on Tuesday night

Iranians will hear “good news” on Tehran’s nuclear program on Tuesday night, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, and Iranian media said this would mean Iran had enriched uranium for use in fuelling atomic reactors.

Such an announcement would mark a serious setback to UN Security Council efforts to have Iran suspend enrichment work. It could escalate a confrontation with Western powers leading to consideration of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The Council has demanded Iran shelve enrichment activity, which the West suspects is a preliminary step toward making nuclear bombs, and on March 29 asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report on its compliance in 30 days.

Ok, there you have it, IAEA and United Nations Security Council. Flap would not be surprised if Iran has more than 164 centrifuges enriching uraniun.

The more stalling and obfuscatin is the West’s peril.

Stay tuned for the EU, American and Israeli responses.

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The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.

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