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UN reports ongoing Iran defiance UN reports ongoing Iran defiance
(3 days later)
Iran is continuing to defy UN demands to stop enriching uranium and is expanding the work, the UN nuclear watchdog has said in a report. Iran is continuing to defy UN demands to stop enriching uranium and is expanding its controversial work, the UN nuclear watchdog said in a report.
The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency also said Tehran was blocking IAEA efforts to probe suspicious nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency report also said Tehran was blocking IAEA efforts to probe suspicious nuclear activities.
Analysts say the report could open the door to new sanctions against Tehran. The US is now discussing taking further steps against Tehran with the threat of harsher international sanctions.
The United States said it would now work with its allies on "next steps" after the latest IAEA report. Iran denied obstructing inspections and said it will "continue to co-operate".
White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the report was "a laundry list of Iran's continued defiance of the international community and shows that Iran's leaders are only furthering the isolation of the Iranian people." "There are no obstacles to lawful and legal IAEA inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities," said Mohammad Saeedi, the deputy head of Iran's atomic energy organisation.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said the UN would discuss the IAEA report, adding that London was absolutely committed to dealing with the issue through the UN. In March, the UN Security Council imposed a second round of sanctions on Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment, prompting Tehran to limit its co-operation.
In March, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment. However IAEA inspectors still regularly visit Iran's atomic facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
IAEA reportIAEA report
In a confidential report a copy of which was obtained by the BBC, the IAEA said Iran was operating eight cascades of 164 centrifuges, which are sets of machines used for enrichment at its underground site in Natanz. The White House described the IAEA's latest report as "a laundry list" of Iran's continued defiance of the international community.
Iran has not suspended its enrichment-related activities. Iran has continued with the operation of their pilot fuel enrichment plant IAEA 'Third way' on Iran issue?Iran has not suspended its enrichment-related activities. Iran has continued with the operation of their pilot fuel enrichment plant IAEA 'Third way' on Iran issue?
It said it was in the process of installing five more. The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the US is determined to step up the pressure, convinced that Tehran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons - a charge it denies.
A senior UN official said if Iran continued at the present rate it would have 3,000 centrifuges by the end of June. In its report, the IAEA said Iran was operating eight cascades of 164 centrifuges, which are sets of machines used for enrichment at its underground site in Natanz.
The report said Iran had agreed to unannounced inspections and surveillance measures at Natanz. It said it was in the process of installing five more. A senior UN official said if Iran continued at the present rate it would have 3,000 centrifuges by the end of June.
The report also said that the IAEA's ability to monitor Tehran's nuclear programme had "deteriorated" due to lack of access. At that point, analysts estimate it would take only a further nine to 11 months to produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb.
There is concern about Iran's nuclear work because while low enriched uranium can be used in nuclear power plants, highly enriched uranium can be used for nuclear bombs. The report also said Iran had agreed to unannounced inspections and surveillance measures at Natanz but that the IAEA's ability to monitor the nuclear programme had "deteriorated" because of lack of access.
The UN Security Council fears Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran continues to insist on its right to enrich uranium.
The council imposed a second round of sanctions on Iran in March. The move broadened the limited sanctions agreed in December 2006.
The council then asked the IAEA to report within 60 days on whether Iran had complied with its demands.
'Not helpful''Not helpful'
The IAEA document comes amid reports that the US is to complain to IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei about his proposal that Iran keep parts of its enrichment programme. The IAEA document comes amid reports that the US is to complain to IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei about his proposal that Iran be allowed to keep part of its enrichment programme.
Mr ElBaradei has said Iran possessed "the knowledge about how to enrich" and the focus should now be on preventing industrial-scale production.Mr ElBaradei has said Iran possessed "the knowledge about how to enrich" and the focus should now be on preventing industrial-scale production.
But there are concerns his comments will weaken UN resolve to punish Iran over its nuclear activity. There are concerns his comments will weaken UN resolve to punish Iran over its nuclear activities.
Envoys from the US, France, Germany and Britain are expected to visit Mr ElBaradei this week to deliver a formal complaint that the agency chief's comments "were not helpful", a US official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Envoys from the US, France, Germany and Britain are expected to visit Mr ElBaradei this week to deliver a formal complaint that the agency chief's comments "were not helpful".