Iran begins uranium enrichment in site near Qom

Iran confirmed on Monday the start of uranium enrichment at its underground Fordow nuclear plant, Iran's Arabic language al Alam TV reported.

"All of Iran's nuclear activities, including enrichment of uranium in both Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites are under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Iran's envoy to the agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh told al Alam.

An Iranian official who asked not to be identified told Reuters: "The enrichment in Fordow has started."

Diplomatic sources also told Reuters in Vienna on Monday that Iran had started refining uranium in Fordow.

They said uranium enrichment to a fissile purity of 20 percent had begun at the Fordow underground site near the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Qom, signaling Iran's defiance in the face of intensifying Western pressure to curb such activity.

"Yes, they have," one Vienna-based diplomat said in response to a question on whether the operations had begun.

Iran has said for months that it is preparing to move its highest-grade uranium refinement work to Fordow from its main enrichment plant at Natanz, and sharply boost capacity. Enriched uranium can have both civilian and military uses.

A decision by the Islamic Republic to conduct sensitive atomic activities at the underground site - offering better protection against any enemy attacks - could complicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-running row peacefully.

Iran's mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog, was not immediately available for comment.

On Sunday, an Iranian newspaper quoted the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation as saying Iran would in the "near future" start enriching uranium at Fordow.

The United States and its allies say Iran is trying to develop the means to make atomic bombs, but Tehran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity and isotopes for medical treatment.

Source: Reuters