Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Iran Says Nuclear Enrichment Has Begun

IAEA inspectors are there, but agency cannot confirm announcement

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 9, 2010 10:16 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Iran took its test of international resolve and patience to the next level today, with state media reporting that it has indeed begun to enrich uranium to a higher level, as threatened yesterday. UN inspectors were present, but couldn't confirm what exactly the Iranians are doing to their current stock of 3.5% enriched uranium, which they say they plan to boost to 20%. The US said it would call for new UN sanctions, and Israel reacted furiously, calling not for "moderate sanctions, or watered-down sanctions" but "crippling sanctions."

Of course the move could still be a bargaining ploy to get the West to reopen negotiations over imported nuclear fuel, the New York Times notes. “The beginning of the enrichment is not tantamount to the end of interaction and negotiations,” Iran’s nuclear chief said, referring to the proposed swap of uranium stock for relatively benign fuel rods. Still, the announcement has spooked even sometime-ally Russia, which says the plans “have raised doubts” about Iran’s ultimate intentions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, visits the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, visits the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility.   (AP Photo)
Chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi.
Chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi.   (AP Photo)
Iranian technicians are seen at a new facility producing uranium fuel for a planned heavy-water nuclear reactor, just outside the city of Isfahan.
Iranian technicians are seen at a new facility producing uranium fuel for a planned heavy-water nuclear reactor, just outside the city of Isfahan.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
4%
23%
8%
8%
58%
0%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Boulderdash
Feb 10, 2010 9:51 AM CST
All the hate mongers on here have nothing to say about this! Attack and nasty slander for our fellow Americans, our leaders and then like pussy cats towards our enemies.
Middleman
Feb 10, 2010 4:59 AM CST
Point of clarification. OBL would play the Islam card, but in reality since he is a Wahibiest (extreme Sunni) and Iran is a Shia Muslim country and those two sects of the religion are diometrically opposed, he would have a serious credibility problem amongst his followers who know the difference quite well. There's also the fact that he's Arab and they are Persian that makes them not jump into bed together. Clearly, he would use that tactic and it would play well with the American crowd who doesn't know any better, but on his home front it wouldn't play out as well.
JesusLovesSomeOfYou
Feb 10, 2010 2:40 AM CST
I'm with the Godfather. It's getting to the point where evolution is simply taking over. Survival of the fittest. Who are we to try and stop evolution?

 
Russia • United Nations • IAEA • International Atomic Energy Agency • uranium enrichment • international sanctions • Iran nuclear weapons program • Iran nuclear facilities

More Newser Stories

Iran's Uranium Could Fuel 2 Warheads: Inspectors

Iran Nuclear Talks Stall; Sanctions Loom

Iran to EU: We're Ready for Nuclear Talks

Confirmed: Iran Enriching Uranium Underground

Iran on Brink of Nuclear Capability
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne