Iran Says Nuclear Enrichment Program Expanded
July 26, 2008
By Reuters
TEHRAN -- Iran is running more than 5,000 centrifuges for enriching uranium, its president was quoted as saying, in comments suggesting continued expansion of work the West fears is aimed at making bombs.
"Today, we have more than 5,000 active centrifuges," state television quoted President Mahmud Ahmadinejad as saying on July 26.
The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, in May said Tehran had 3,500 uranium-enrichment centrifuges working at its Natanz facility. Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for power plants but also provide material for bombs if refined much more.
Iran says its activities are solely aimed at generating electricity so that it can sell more oil and gas.