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Iran 'has second enrichment site' Iran 'has second enrichment site'
(10 minutes later)
Iran has revealed to the UN nuclear watchdog the existence of a second uranium enrichment plant, reports say. Iran has revealed the existence of a second uranium enrichment plant, the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed.
Tehran made the announcement in a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei, sources are quoted as saying. Tehran made the announcement earlier this week in a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei.
Iran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant at Natanz, which IAEA inspectors are monitoring.Iran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant at Natanz, which IAEA inspectors are monitoring.
If confirmed, the reports will stoke fears taht Iran is closer than thought to building a nuclear bomb. The US, UK and France are set to accuse Iran over the plant before Friday's G-20 talks, the New York Times reports.
The Iranian authorities have always insisted their nuclear programme is for peaceful means. They and other Western nations have long feared that Iran is planning to develop an atomic weapon.
But the US and other Western nations fear Tehran is planning to develop an atomic weapon. Tehran has always insisted its programme is for peaceful means.
The IAEA has asked to immediately inspect the plant, Reuters news agency reports.
Iran is supposed to have stopped all enrichment under threat of sanctions from the UN Security Council.Iran is supposed to have stopped all enrichment under threat of sanctions from the UN Security Council.
News of the Iranian letter comes days before Iran is due to enter fresh talks over its controversial nuclear programme.News of the Iranian letter comes days before Iran is due to enter fresh talks over its controversial nuclear programme.
'Comprehensive' talks'Comprehensive' talks
The New York Times reports that leaders of the US, UK and France will accuse Iran of building a secret plant, before the opening of the G-20 economic summit later on Friday. The New York Times quotes US officials as saying that the secret site - built inside a mountain near the ancient city of Qom - is not yet complete, but could be ready for operation next year.
ANALYSIS BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul ReynoldsANALYSIS BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds
The New York Times report comes at a critical time as further sanctions on Iran, especially on its oil and gas industry, are being discussed.The New York Times report comes at a critical time as further sanctions on Iran, especially on its oil and gas industry, are being discussed.
If Iran is found to have hidden a plant from the IAEA, it will be put on the defensive.If Iran is found to have hidden a plant from the IAEA, it will be put on the defensive.
Previously it had announced plans only for expanding its current enrichment plant at Natanz.Previously it had announced plans only for expanding its current enrichment plant at Natanz.
The Security Council has ordered Iran to freeze enrichment and has imposed sanctions aimed at its nuclear and ballistic missile work.The Security Council has ordered Iran to freeze enrichment and has imposed sanctions aimed at its nuclear and ballistic missile work.
Iran has refused to comply, arguing that it has the right to develop a civil nuclear power programme.Iran has refused to comply, arguing that it has the right to develop a civil nuclear power programme.
The newspaper also quotes US officials as saying that the site - built inside a mountain near the ancient city of Qom - is not yet complete, but could be ready for operation next year.
It said the facility is believed to be capable of holding some 3,000 centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium for electricity or, at higher levels of enrichment, for a bomb.It said the facility is believed to be capable of holding some 3,000 centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium for electricity or, at higher levels of enrichment, for a bomb.
Iran described it as a "pilot plant" under construction in its letter to Mr ElBaradei, received earlier this week, the newspaper reports.Iran described it as a "pilot plant" under construction in its letter to Mr ElBaradei, received earlier this week, the newspaper reports.
Speaking to the BBC, the IAEA would neither confirm nor deny the reports about the plant, saying only that it was taking a serious look at the information. This development will encourage fears that Iran has other secret facilities that could be used to make a nuclear bomb, the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, says in London.
This development, if confirmed, will encourage fears that Iran has other secret facilities that could be used to make a nuclear bomb, the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, says in London.
Natanz, some 250km (150 miles) south of Tehran, had been kept secret until its existence was revealed by exiled groups several years ago, he adds.Natanz, some 250km (150 miles) south of Tehran, had been kept secret until its existence was revealed by exiled groups several years ago, he adds.
In a report of its visit to Natanz in August, the IAEA said the site was operating 4,592 centrifuges and a further 3,716 were installed.In a report of its visit to Natanz in August, the IAEA said the site was operating 4,592 centrifuges and a further 3,716 were installed.
It said work on the first of two production halls for centrifuges, Iran had previously told inspectors it was planning, was nearly complete.It said work on the first of two production halls for centrifuges, Iran had previously told inspectors it was planning, was nearly complete.
IRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposesBushehr: Nuclear power plantIsfahan: Uranium conversion plantNatanz: Uranium enrichment plant, about 250km (150 miles) south of Tehran; contains 4,592 centrifuges, with a further 3,716 installedSecond enrichment plant: Existence revealed in a letter to the IAEA in September 2009. Separate reports say it is near the holy city of Qom, and not yet operationalArak: Heavy water plant Iran's key nuclear sitesIRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposesBushehr: Nuclear power plantIsfahan: Uranium conversion plantNatanz: Uranium enrichment plant, about 250km (150 miles) south of Tehran; contains 4,592 centrifuges, with a further 3,716 installedSecond enrichment plant: Existence revealed in a letter to the IAEA in September 2009. Separate reports say it is near the holy city of Qom, and not yet operationalArak: Heavy water plant Iran's key nuclear sites
Iran has been under months of pressure to accept US President Barack Obama's offer of talks on its nuclear ambitions.Iran has been under months of pressure to accept US President Barack Obama's offer of talks on its nuclear ambitions.
Earlier this month, Tehran agreed to "comprehensive" talks on a range of security issues - but made no mention of its own nuclear programme.Earlier this month, Tehran agreed to "comprehensive" talks on a range of security issues - but made no mention of its own nuclear programme.
The talks are due to be held in Geneva on 1 October with Tehran and the five permanent UN Security Council members - US, UK, Russia, China and France - plus Germany.The talks are due to be held in Geneva on 1 October with Tehran and the five permanent UN Security Council members - US, UK, Russia, China and France - plus Germany.
President Obama has hinted at pursuing tougher sanctions against Tehran if progress over the crisis is not made.President Obama has hinted at pursuing tougher sanctions against Tehran if progress over the crisis is not made.
Russia recently signalled it might be prepared to soften its opposition to further sanctions against Iran, although China has said such pressure would not be effective.Russia recently signalled it might be prepared to soften its opposition to further sanctions against Iran, although China has said such pressure would not be effective.