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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 recently declared Iranian nuclear site near the city of Qom. | The UN's nuclear watchdog says it needs "more clarification" about the purpose of a recently declared 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. |
| ANALYSIS Paul Reynolds, BBC world affairs correspondent | ANALYSIS Paul Reynolds, BBC world affairs correspondent |
| The IAEA report on the site near Qom basically confirms that it will be capable of housing some 3,000 centrifuges for uranium enrichment. Iran has said that it is building the plant to protect its technology from potential attack, and the head of the IAEA has said there is nothing to worry about at the site. | The IAEA report on the site near Qom basically confirms that it will be capable of housing some 3,000 centrifuges for uranium enrichment. Iran has said that it is building the plant to protect its technology from potential attack, and the head of the IAEA has said there is nothing to worry about at the site. |
| But what does worry the governments trying to negotiate with Iran is the secrecy that surrounded the plant. The report says such secrecy does not "contribute to the building of confidence". | But what does worry the governments trying to negotiate with Iran is the secrecy that surrounded the plant. The report says such secrecy does not "contribute to the building of confidence". |
| In the wider picture, there is still stalemate over the proposal to take Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium and enrich it in Russia and France. Senior diplomats from the US, Russia, China and the EU will meet soon as pressure grows for further sanctions on Iran if no agreement on its uranium enrichment can be reached by the end of the year. | In the wider picture, there is still stalemate over the proposal to take Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium and enrich it in Russia and France. Senior diplomats from the US, Russia, China and the EU will meet soon as pressure grows for further sanctions on Iran if no agreement on its uranium enrichment can be reached by the end of the year. |
| 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 only revealed the existence of the plant in September. | Iran only revealed the existence of the plant in September. |
| The IAEA report said this did "not contribute to the building of confidence" and "gives rise to questions about whether there were any other nuclear facilities not declared to the agency". | The IAEA report said this did "not contribute to the building of confidence" and "gives rise to questions about whether there were any other nuclear facilities not declared to the agency". |
| Iran's delay in notification was "inconsistent with its obligations", the report said. | Iran's delay in notification was "inconsistent with its obligations", the report said. |
| It said satellite imagery showed building at the site as far back as 2002. This resumed in 2006 and "had continued to date", the report said. | It said satellite imagery showed building at the site as far back as 2002. This resumed in 2006 and "had continued to date", the report said. |
| 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 has delayed the launch of the Bushehr plant | Russia has delayed the launch of the Bushehr plant |
| On Sunday, Russia and the US both warned Iran that time was running out for talks over its nuclear programme. | On Sunday, Russia and the US both warned Iran that time was running out for talks over its nuclear programme. |
| Russia said on Monday the delay in launching the Bushehr plant was for "technical reasons". | Russia said on Monday the delay in launching the Bushehr plant was for "technical reasons". |
| Russian officials had said earlier this year that the plant would be completed before the end of 2010, but on Monday Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said that although progress had been made, there would be no launch. | Russian officials had said earlier this year that the plant would be completed before the end of 2010, but on Monday Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said that although progress had been made, there would be no launch. |
| The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the decision to delay the completion is clearly political - an expression of Russia's frustration at Iran's failure to accept the offer now on the table from the international community. | The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the decision to delay the completion is clearly political - an expression of Russia's frustration at Iran's failure to accept the offer now on the table from the international community. |
| 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 | 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 |
| Under the plan brokered by the IAEA and agreed by Russia, the US and France, Iran would send about 1,200kg (2,600lb), or 70%, of its low-enriched uranium, to Russia by the year's end for processing. | Under the plan brokered by the IAEA and agreed by Russia, the US and France, Iran would send about 1,200kg (2,600lb), or 70%, of its low-enriched uranium, to Russia by the year's end for processing. |
| Subsequently, France would convert the uranium into fuel rods for use in a reactor in Tehran that produces medical isotopes. | Subsequently, France would convert the uranium into fuel rods for use in a reactor in Tehran that produces medical isotopes. |
| This is seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it needs, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons. | This is seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it needs, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons. |
| Iran has raised "technical and economic considerations" with the IAEA and has missed deadlines to respond. | Iran has raised "technical and economic considerations" with the IAEA and has missed deadlines to respond. |