Iran To Expand Uranium-Enrichment Program

An Iranian uranium-enrichment facility near Isfahan (file photo) (AFP)

November 12, 2006 -- Iran says it is pressing ahead with plans to expand its program to enrich uranium, despite international calls to freeze its controversial nuclear work.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Husseini today said Tehran remains determined to install 3,000 centrifuges by March 2007.

Iran recently launched a second cascade of 164 centrifuges to enrich uranium.

Husseini also warned that Iran would have a "destructive" response to any Israeli military attacks.

Meanwhile, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh told Israeli radio that using force against Iran over its nuclear program should be the last option.

The comments came as the UN Security Council continues to debate ways to censure Iran for refusing to suspend sensitive nuclear fuel work. Veto-holding Security Council members Russia and China have been reluctant to back sanctions.

The West accuses Iran of using a civilian nuclear program to hide efforts at developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear effort is legal and peaceful.

(AFP, Reuters)