IAEA Says Tehran Poised To Increase Nuclear Work

In a still image from video, a group of scientists is seen near the control room area at the Tehran Research Reactor in February.

The United Nations nuclear agency says Iran is poised to double its output of higher enriched uranium that can be turned easily into the core of a nuclear warhead.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) finding is contained in a new report it circulated on November 16 among the agency's board.

The report says Iran is technically ready within days to ramp up its production of 20 percent-enriched uranium at its Fordow underground facility, doubling its present output.

The report also highlighted that Iran was refusing to allow an investigation of alleged nuclear-weapons development projects and sites.

The report says that Iran has shut down its only nuclear power plant, at Bushehr.

The IAEA did not indicate why Iran removed the fuel from the reactor on October 15.

Iran says all its nuclear activities are aimed for peaceful purposes.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa