kevin82
29-11-2009, 08:05 PM
Iran has approved plans to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants, the country's state media has said.
The announcement comes two days after the UN demanded Iran halt construction of a newly revealed enrichment facility near the city of Qom.
A cabinet meeting headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to begin building at five new sites, state television IRIB reported on its website.
The government also ordered the Iranian body to locate sites for another five over the next two months, the media organisation said.
The US has called the expansion plans "another serious violation" of the country's international obligations.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0120a5993409970b-600wi
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said: "If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself.
"The international community has made clear that Iran has rights, but with those rights come responsibilities."
He added: "Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear programme."
The announcement comes two days after the UN demanded Iran halt construction of a newly revealed enrichment facility near the city of Qom.
A cabinet meeting headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to begin building at five new sites, state television IRIB reported on its website.
The government also ordered the Iranian body to locate sites for another five over the next two months, the media organisation said.
The US has called the expansion plans "another serious violation" of the country's international obligations.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0120a5993409970b-600wi
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said: "If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself.
"The international community has made clear that Iran has rights, but with those rights come responsibilities."
He added: "Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear programme."