Iran said Friday it would begin operating new machines to enrich more uranium, which could bring it closer to having a weapon.
The move came in response to a censure by the International Atomic Energy Agency for failing to cooperate fully with atomic inspectors.
Iran will activate “a substantial number of advanced centrifuges of various models,” which are able to produce highly enriched nuclear fuel, read a joint statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry and its Atomic Energy Organization.
It condemned the censure as “politicized and destructive,” saying it undermined “the positive momentum” achieved between Iran and the I.A.E.A.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said Friday in an interview with media in Iran that the country began accelerating its enrichment right after the order was announced.
Persons:
Behrouz, “, ”
Organizations:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Atomic Energy Organization, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization
Locations:
Iran, Tehran, Vienna