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Official: Blasts Targeted Iran Nuclear Sites

Abbasi says Atomic Energy Agency has been infiltrated by 'terrorists'

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2012 3:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Two explosions targeted power supplies to Iran's main uranium enrichment sites, according to an Iranian official who indicated the blasts were the work of Western "terrorists." One of the explosions occurred last month, a day before international inspectors arrived at one of the sites, Fordow, says scientist Fereydoon Abbasi, Iran's senior atomic energy official. Abbasi, who narrowly escaped an assassination attempt two years ago, accused the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency in a speech in Vienna yesterday of being infiltrated by "terrorists and saboteurs," reports the New York Times.

He told reporters later that backup power supplies protected both Iranian sites from serious harm after the explosions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Iran could be on the brink of building a nuclear bomb in as few as seven months. Iranian and EU representatives are meeting in Turkey today in an attempt to restart stalled nuclear negotiations, reports AP. The US fears that if the talks don't get underway again, Israel will attack Iran.

Fereydoun Abbasi addresses the media during a news conference in Vienna yesterday.
Fereydoun Abbasi addresses the media during a news conference in Vienna yesterday.   (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
joel1
Sep 21, 2012 11:05 AM CDT
Sounds like Israel is provoking them to step up development. After Israel destroyed an Iraqi nuclear site, Iraq started their bomb project.  American bombs in the Gulf war destroyed it.  Iran said they would control development to 20% uranium, useable in electrical production, if the West guaranteed their right to make electricity.  Americans refused.
Observer
Sep 18, 2012 10:47 AM CDT
The propaganda mills are spinning faster than the underground centrifuges. What is the real story?
HANKHILL
Sep 18, 2012 10:19 AM CDT
just turn them into a parking lot and let them start over again! end of story!
 

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