Two Nuclear Facilities in Iran to Start Operation Soon: Official

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 04, 2003

Two Nuclear Facilities in Iran to Start Operation Soon: Official

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Two nuclear facilities in Iran's central cities of Isfahan and Natanz would start operation early next Iranian year starting March 21, the official IRNA news agency quoted a senior official as saying on Monday.

Hassan Rowhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, noted that the nuclear plant in Natanz in Yazd Province would be used to enrich uranium extracted in the province to provide fuel for nuclear power plants.

With the inauguration of the Natanz sites, Iran would achieve self-sufficiency in producing fuel to run the country's nuclear power stations, he added.

Meanwhile, a gigantic nuclear complex in Isfahan was also constructed over the last two years, the official said.

Iran has access to the technology of enriching uranium, but this would not mean Iran has access to atomic bombs, he said, stressing that Iran would continue its nuclear plans for "peaceful purposes."

Late last year, the United States released pictures taken by satellites and alleged that two nuclear sites in central Iran could be used for making nuclear weapons.

Iran has strongly rejected the allegations and reiterated that the two plants were intended to generate electricity and its nuclear facilities were regularly checked by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami announced on Feb. 9 that Iran had started excavating uranium deposits in Yazd to produce fuel for its nuclear plants.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Iran Refutes US Allegation on Nuclear Weapons

Iran, Russia Sign Protocol on Nuclear Energy Cooperation

Iran Vows to Build Nuclear Plant for Energy Only

Which Country, China or Japan, Does Russian Oil Pipeline Lead to? ( 3 Messages)

Chinese Fast Food Chains Battle Foreign Competitors ( 4 Messages)

Chinese Commemorate Dead Soviet Pilots ( 3 Messages)

China-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Upgraded ( 2 Messages)

Japan Strives to be Major World Power: Analysis ( 7 Messages)