Iran to begin production of high-grade uranium

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday told the head of the Iranian atomic energy agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, to begin the enrichment of the country's uranium stockpile to levels that can be used to produce nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad made his comments on state television yesterday and said that "God willing, 20 percent enrichment will start". Salehi responded to Ahmadinejad's comments by saying that he will hand an official letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency today to inform the agency that its production of 20% enriched fuel will begin on Tuesday.

Western governments responded yesterday to Ahmadinejad's comments by calling on the international community to increase the pressure on Tehran and impose further sanctions. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office said, "Reports that Iran is planning to enrich some of their fuel to 20 per cent level of enrichment are clearly a matter of serious concern." "If the international community will stand together and bring pressure to bear on the Iranian government, I believe there is still time for sanctions and pressure to work," US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said from Rome. The spokesperson also noted that the decision was a deliberate breach of five UN Security Council resolutions. Meanwhile, German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said that patience was at an end with Iran and that the international community must impose tougher measures.

Iran recently dismissed a UN nuclear proposal plan to ship its low-enriched uranium overseas for processing. Ahmadinejad's latest comments are expected to increase the tension between the West and the Islamic Republic, who insist that its nuclear development is for civilian purposes.

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