This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6974903.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iran 'reaches key nuclear goal' Iran 'reaches key nuclear goal'
(10 minutes later)
Iran's leader says his country now has more than 3,000 centrifuges enriching uranium - a target it set itself in its nuclear programme, state media says. Iran has met a key target for its nuclear programme and now has 3,000 centrifuges enriching uranium, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would continue its nuclear drive, in spite of UN resolutions against it. Mr Ahmadinejad said Iran would continue its nuclear drive in spite of UN resolutions against it.
UN officials say the target, if confirmed, would be the point of no return in an industrial programme.UN officials say the target, if confirmed, would be the point of no return in an industrial programme.
The West has accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons - a charge Iran has strongly denied.The West has accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons - a charge Iran has strongly denied.
The installation of 3,000 centrifuges is seen by Iran as a key medium-term goal for its nuclear programme, which it hoped to reach in March. TIMELINE: IRAN ENRICHMENT 2003: Enrichment programme that had been hidden for 18 years is uncovered by IAEAFeb 2006: Iran reported to Security Council5 Feb 2007: Diplomats confirm Iranian claims to have set up more than 300 centrifuges in two cascades9 April: Iran claims to be enriching uranium on an "industrial scale". IAEA and Russian officials are sceptical19 April: IAEA document confirms that Iran running more than 1,300 centrifuges in eight cascades 2 September: Iran claims to have 3,000 centrifuges running class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/4031603.stm">Q&A: Iran nuclear issue
"We have more than 3,000 centrifuges working and every week a new set is installed," Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.
"[The world powers] were thinking that with each resolution the Iranian nation would retreat. But after each resolution the Iranian nation presented another nuclear achievement."
The installation of 3,000 centrifuges is seen by Iran as a key medium-term goal - which it had hoped to reach by March - for its nuclear programme.
There has been no independent verification of Iran's claim.There has been no independent verification of Iran's claim.
Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium to the level required for use in a nuclear power station but also to the higher levels needed for a nuclear bomb.Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium to the level required for use in a nuclear power station but also to the higher levels needed for a nuclear bomb.