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Iran's uranium enrichment is escalation, says US Iran's uranium enrichment is escalation, says US
(about 9 hours later)
The US has said Iran's enrichment of uranium at an underground site is "a further escalation" of its ongoing violation of UN resolutions. The US has said Iran's enrichment of uranium at an underground site is "a further escalation" of its violation of UN resolutions.
The warning comes after the UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran had begun enriching uranium up to 20% at its northern Fordo plant. The UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran had begun enriching uranium up to 20% at its northern Fordo plant.
Analysts say 20% enrichment is an important step towards making uranium weapons-grade, but Tehran says it is for purely peaceful purposes.Analysts say 20% enrichment is an important step towards making uranium weapons-grade, but Tehran says it is for purely peaceful purposes.
The UK and France condemned the move. The UK and France - and later Russia - also condemned the move.
'Provocative act''Provocative act'
"Moscow has with regret and worry received the news of the start of work on enriching uranium at the Iranian plant," the Russian foreign ministry said.
In Washington, state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Monday that enrichment works at Fordo, near the city of Qom, raised further doubts about Tehran's peaceful intentions.In Washington, state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Monday that enrichment works at Fordo, near the city of Qom, raised further doubts about Tehran's peaceful intentions.
"We call on Iran once again to suspend enrichment activities, co-operate fully with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and immediately comply with all [UN] Security Council and IAEA board of governors resolutions," she said."We call on Iran once again to suspend enrichment activities, co-operate fully with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and immediately comply with all [UN] Security Council and IAEA board of governors resolutions," she said.
In Paris, a statement by the foreign ministry said the Iranian move "leaves us with no other choice but to reinforce international sanctions and to adopt, with our European partners and all willing countries, measures of an intensity and severity without precedent". In Paris, the foreign ministry said the Iranian move "leaves us with no other choice but to reinforce international sanctions and to adopt, with our European partners and all willing countries, measures of an intensity and severity without precedent".
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the "provocative act which further undermines Iran's claims that its programme is entirely civilian in nature".UK Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the "provocative act which further undermines Iran's claims that its programme is entirely civilian in nature".
Earlier on Monday, a spokeswoman for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Gill Tudor, said the agency could "confirm that Iran has started the production of uranium enriched up to 20%".Earlier on Monday, a spokeswoman for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Gill Tudor, said the agency could "confirm that Iran has started the production of uranium enriched up to 20%".
She added that "all nuclear material in the facility remains under the agency's containment and surveillance".She added that "all nuclear material in the facility remains under the agency's containment and surveillance".
Iran insists enriched uranium is needed to make isotopes to treat cancers. Iran says the enriched uranium is needed to make isotopes to treat cancers.
Iran's new facility began in secret. The state may have preferred to keep it that way. But in September 2009 the US, France and the UK publicly revealed its existence - a fact that was subsequently confirmed by Iran.Iran's new facility began in secret. The state may have preferred to keep it that way. But in September 2009 the US, France and the UK publicly revealed its existence - a fact that was subsequently confirmed by Iran.
Since then, the new plant has attracted plenty of both attention and suspicion. It has been built underground and it is heavily fortified. In particular, Iran appears to want to guard against potential air strikes. Military experts suggest that the facility may be able to survive attack from all but the most powerful bombs.Since then, the new plant has attracted plenty of both attention and suspicion. It has been built underground and it is heavily fortified. In particular, Iran appears to want to guard against potential air strikes. Military experts suggest that the facility may be able to survive attack from all but the most powerful bombs.
Iranian officials suggest that the new plant is an important step forward for the country's nuclear programme. But it is not yet clear how productive the facility will be. Iran says it hopes to carry out what's known as medium-level uranium enrichment at the plant - uranium enriched to 20%.Iranian officials suggest that the new plant is an important step forward for the country's nuclear programme. But it is not yet clear how productive the facility will be. Iran says it hopes to carry out what's known as medium-level uranium enrichment at the plant - uranium enriched to 20%.
Western analysts warn that medium-level enrichment is an important step towards enriching uranium to weapons-grade. But Iran stresses that its nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful.Western analysts warn that medium-level enrichment is an important step towards enriching uranium to weapons-grade. But Iran stresses that its nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful.
The existence of the facility near Qom, in the north of the country, only came to light after it was identified by Western intelligence agencies in September 2009. The existence of the facility near Qom, in the north of the country, came to light after it was identified by Western intelligence agencies in September 2009.
Tehran said it began the project in 2007, but the IAEA believes design work started in 2006. BBC Iran correspondent James Reynolds says the facility has attracted plenty of attention and suspicion. It is underground, heavily fortified and protected by the armed forces - making it a very difficult target for air strikes.
BBC Iran correspondent James Reynolds says the facility has attracted plenty of attention and suspicion.
It is underground, heavily fortified and protected by the armed forces - making it a very difficult target for air strikes.
The US and Israel have refused to rule out attacks on Iranian facilities.The US and Israel have refused to rule out attacks on Iranian facilities.
Atomic bomb jokeAtomic bomb joke
Earlier on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted Iran would not bow to pressure from the West. Also on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted Iran would not bow to pressure from the West.
"The Islamic establishment... knows firmly what it is doing and has chosen its path and will stay the course," he said in a speech broadcast on state television."The Islamic establishment... knows firmly what it is doing and has chosen its path and will stay the course," he said in a speech broadcast on state television.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - who is currently on a visit to Venezuela - received a strong backing from President Hugo Chavez.Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - who is currently on a visit to Venezuela - received a strong backing from President Hugo Chavez.
"They present us as aggressors," the Venezuelan leader said, referring to US government officials. "Iran hasn't invaded anyone. Who has dropped thousands and thousands of bombs... including atomic bombs?""They present us as aggressors," the Venezuelan leader said, referring to US government officials. "Iran hasn't invaded anyone. Who has dropped thousands and thousands of bombs... including atomic bombs?"
The Iranian and Venezuelan presidents also joked about having an atomic bomb at their disposal.The Iranian and Venezuelan presidents also joked about having an atomic bomb at their disposal.
"That hill will open up and a big atomic bomb will come out," Mr Chavez said, laughing."That hill will open up and a big atomic bomb will come out," Mr Chavez said, laughing.
"The imperialist spokesmen say... Ahmadinejad and I are going into the Miraflores [presidential palace] basement now to set our sights on Washington and launch cannons and missiles... It's laughable.""The imperialist spokesmen say... Ahmadinejad and I are going into the Miraflores [presidential palace] basement now to set our sights on Washington and launch cannons and missiles... It's laughable."
Tensions have been high since the US imposed new sanctions on Iran's central bank and the European Union said it would place an embargo on Iran's oil exports.Tensions have been high since the US imposed new sanctions on Iran's central bank and the European Union said it would place an embargo on Iran's oil exports.
EU foreign ministers are due to meet to approve the embargo later this month.EU foreign ministers are due to meet to approve the embargo later this month.
Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz - a key route from the Gulf through which 20% of the world's traded oil passes.Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz - a key route from the Gulf through which 20% of the world's traded oil passes.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned on Sunday that such a move would cross a "red line" and "we would take action and reopen the strait".US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned on Sunday that such a move would cross a "red line" and "we would take action and reopen the strait".
Adding to the strains, a court in Tehran on Monday sentenced to death an Iranian-American man accused of being a CIA spy.Adding to the strains, a court in Tehran on Monday sentenced to death an Iranian-American man accused of being a CIA spy.
Amir Mirzai Hekmati, 28, a former US marine, had been show on state television in December allegedly confessing to being part of a plot to infiltrate Iran's intelligence services for the CIA. Amir Mirzai Hekmati, 28, a former US marine, had been shown on state television in December allegedly confessing to being part of a plot to infiltrate Iran's intelligence services for the CIA.
Our correspondent says Iran's judicial and political systems place huge emphasis on the importance of confessions, which are viewed with concern by human rights groups.
Mr Hekmati's family, who live in Arizona, say the charges against him are fabricated and that he was in Iran to visit his grandmothers. The US has demanded his release.Mr Hekmati's family, who live in Arizona, say the charges against him are fabricated and that he was in Iran to visit his grandmothers. The US has demanded his release.