Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran to Move to Large-Scale Uranium Enrichment

An inside view of a Uranium Conversion Facility producing unit in Isfahan, 340 km (211 miles) south of Tehran, March 30, 2005. Russia joined the United States on Wednesday in condemning Iran’s announcement it had enriched uranium in defiance of a U.N. call to halt nuclear work that the West believes is part of a drive to build atomic bombs.

ASSociated Press: Iran to Move Toward Large-Scale Enrichment

Iran intends to move toward large-scale uranium enrichment involving 54,000 centrifuges, the country’s deputy nuclear chief said Wednesday, signaling its resolve to expand a program the international community has insisted it halt.

Iran’s president announced Tuesday the country had succeeded in enriching uranium on a small scale for the first time, using 164 centrifuges. The U.N. Security Council has demanded that Iran stop all enrichment activity because of suspicions the program’s aim is to make nuclear weapons.

Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEA) Gholamreza Aghazadeh (L) and Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad (C) are seen at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran February 15, 2006. Aghazadeh confirmed on Tuesday that Iran had enriched uranium to a level used in nuclear power plants.

He said Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it plans to install 3,000 centrifuges at Natanz by late 2006, then expand to 54,000 centrifuges, though he did not say when.

He said using 54,000 centrifuges will be able to produce enough enriched uranium to provide fuel for a 1,000-megawat nuclear power plant like the one Russia is currently putting the finishing touches on in southern Iran.

But, why does the fourth leading exporter of oil need so much nuclear derived electricity? Of course, this is a sham.

Iran desires enough enriched uranium to fabricate a nuclear weapon.

Watch the West’s responses – is the United States, Israel and EU stalling for time?

And why?

Will President Bush draw down Amderican troops in Iraq and simply redeploy them towards Iran?

The IAEA is due to report to the U.N. Security Council on April 28 whether Iran has met its demand for a full halt to uranium enrichment. If Tehran has not complied, the council will consider the next step. The U.S. and Europe are pressing for sanctions against Iran, a step Russia and China have so far opposed.

Stay tuned…..