Tehran – Head of the Atomic Energy Organization announced Thursday that Iran has built a third nuclear enrichment facility in an already safe and secure location and has begun installation of centrifugal machines soon.
Mohammad Eslami made the announcement hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Committee passed a resolution condemning Iran under the leadership of the European trio of Britain, France and Germany, with US support.
Mohammad Eslami said Iran has notified the IAEA of its third nuclear enrichment facility.
“We have prepared the location of our third enrichment site, a safe facility from a safety and security perspective. Today, the process of equipping and installing the institution is now underway,” Eslami said.
“Make a concession”
Eslami said early Thursday that the moves were a “set of political and psychological measures” led by the US and were influenced by the active involvement of three European countries, the IAEA director and Israel’s Zionist regime.
The nuclear chief said the goal of such a move is to “extract concessions” from Iran.
“Level of cooperation with the IAEA under review”
Eslami Vice President Behrouz Kamlavandi said the launch of a new nuclear enrichment facility will significantly increase Iran’s nuclear fuel stockpile.
Kamalvandi also said Iran’s level of cooperation with the IAEA is broad and matchless. However, he said the level of cooperation was “under review.”
“Of the 32 countries that protect the agreement with the IAEA, Iran only accounts for 72% of testing. Overall, 22% of testing by agencies around the world is done in our country,” he said.
“We are not blocked from a legitimate course.”
Masoud Pezeshkian also responded to the recent anti-Iranian resolution at the IAEA Board, saying “this resolution will not block us from our legitimate course.”
He reaffirmed, emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear programme is aimed exclusively for peaceful purposes.
He further stated that domestic calls to develop nuclear weapons are unfounded, as leaders “hold the ultimate authority on this issue.”
“Anti-Iranian solution adds to the complexity of the speech.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut said the anti-Iranian resolution of the IAEA Committee will sit for the sixth round of negotiations with US chief negotiator Steve Witkov, held in Oman on Sunday, adding to the complexity of the nuclear talks.