Iran Touts Its 'Key' Nuclear Achievements

(Newser) – Iran today decided it was time to reveal its "key" nuclear achievements, with state TV touting new uranium enrichment centrifuges and reactor fuel made domestically. The Telegraph reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will verify the news later today, in a move intended to "demonstrate the scientific capabilities of Iranian scientists to world nations." The TV report confirmed, by way of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, that the country has completed work on "the fourth generation of domestically made centrifuges" that are "speedier, produce less waste, and occupy less space." It also cited progress in 20% uranium enrichment at the Natanz site.

What can we expect later in the day? Experts believe Ahmadinejad plans to unveil several new nuclear facilities, including a uranium enrichment plant at its Fardo nuclear site, which is buried deep inside a mountain. Iranian officials say today's events will include the loading of domestically made nuclear fuel rods into the Tehran Research Reactor, Reuters reports. Analysts say Ahmadinejad appears to be both openly taunting the West over its failure to halt the country's nuclear program, and trying to impress Iranians ahead of next week's parliamentary elections.