Suspend uranium enrichment, US tells Iran

Chicago News.Net Wednesday 11th January, 2012

TEHRAN - The United States has asked Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium at an underground facility and comply with UN resolutions, in a latest development adding to the already strained relations between the two countries.

The US warning comes even as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is currently on a visit to Venezuela, received strong backing from President Hugo Chavez.

The UN's nuclear watchdog had confirmed Monday that Tehran had begun enriching uranium up to 20 per cent at its northern Fordo plant, near Qom, in the north of the country.

According to analysts, 20 per cent enrichment is a crucial step towards making uranium weapons-grade. However, Tehran maintains it is for purely peaceful purposes - to produce fuel for future reactors and medical radioisotopes needed for cancer patients.

The uranium enrichment operations at the bunker-like facility south of Tehran was reported by the Kayhan daily newspaper. The underground labs are shielded from aerial surveillance and protected against airstrikes by up to 300 feet (90 meters) of mountain rock.

The Fordo facility was long kept secret and was acknowledged by Iran after it was identified by Western intelligence agencies in September 2009.

In a statement, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: "We call on Iran, once again, to suspend enrichment activities, co-operate fully with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and immediately comply with all [UN] Security Council and IAEA board of governors resolutions."

The United Kingdom and France have also condemned Tehran's move.

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, in strong backing for Iran, told Ahmadinejad:

"They present us as aggressors," referring to US government officials. "Iran hasn't invaded anyone. Who has dropped thousands and thousands of bombs... including atomic bombs?"

The stand-off between Iran and the West has increased after the US imposed new sanctions on Iran's central bank and the European Union said it would place an embargo on Iran's oil exports.

Iran has also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz - a strategic route from the Gulf through which 30 per cent of the world's traded oil passes and held a 10-day naval war games near the strait.

In another development adding to the tension, a court in Tehran on Monday sentenced to death a US national of Iranian descent accused of being a CIA spy.