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UN presses Iran on nuclear site | UN presses Iran on nuclear site |
(10 minutes later) | |
The UN's nuclear watchdog says it needs "more clarification" about the purpose of a previously undeclared Iranian nuclear site near the city of Qom. | The UN's nuclear watchdog says it needs "more clarification" about the purpose of a previously undeclared Iranian nuclear site near the city of Qom. |
The International Atomic Energy Agency also said in a new report the delayed declaration of the plant raised concern about other possible secret sites. | The International Atomic Energy Agency also said in a new report the delayed declaration of the plant raised concern about other possible secret sites. |
A UN team was allowed access to inspect the Qom site last month. | A UN team was allowed access to inspect the Qom site last month. |
Some Western nations fear Tehran is trying to build nuclear weapons but Iran says its programme is peaceful. | Some Western nations fear Tehran is trying to build nuclear weapons but Iran says its programme is peaceful. |
Earlier, Russia said a nuclear power station it had been building at Bushehr in southern Iran would not be completed by the end of this year as planned. | Earlier, Russia said a nuclear power station it had been building at Bushehr in southern Iran would not be completed by the end of this year as planned. |
'Creative plan' | 'Creative plan' |
The IAEA report said the Qom plant "corresponds to the design information provided by Iran", AFP news agency reported. | The IAEA report said the Qom plant "corresponds to the design information provided by Iran", AFP news agency reported. |
NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE Mined uranium ore is purified and reconstituted into solid form known as yellowcakeYellowcake is converted into a gas by heating it to about 64C (147F) Gas is fed through centrifuges, where its isotopes separate and process is repeated until uranium is enrichedLow-level enriched uranium is used for nuclear fuelHighly enriched uranium can be used in nuclear weapons In depth: Nuclear fuel cycle | |
But it quoted the report as saying: "Iran's explanation about the purpose of the facility and the chronology of its design and construction requires further clarification." | But it quoted the report as saying: "Iran's explanation about the purpose of the facility and the chronology of its design and construction requires further clarification." |
The report said it expected the Qom site to start enriching uranium in 2011. | The report said it expected the Qom site to start enriching uranium in 2011. |
Iran has been offered a scheme whereby it would send some of its low-enriched uranium to Russia, where it would be further processed to fuel an Iranian research reactor. | Iran has been offered a scheme whereby it would send some of its low-enriched uranium to Russia, where it would be further processed to fuel an Iranian research reactor. |
However, Iran has failed to give a clear response. | However, Iran has failed to give a clear response. |
US President Barack Obama has said it is unfortunate that Iran seems unable to say yes to a "creative" international plan to allay suspicions that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons. | US President Barack Obama has said it is unfortunate that Iran seems unable to say yes to a "creative" international plan to allay suspicions that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons. |
Russia said the delay in launching the Bushehr plant was for "technical reasons". | Russia said the delay in launching the Bushehr plant was for "technical reasons". |
Correspondents say the decision to delay is clearly political. | Correspondents say the decision to delay is clearly political. |