Selected Headlines

Iran says atom plant within IAEA regulations

Reuters | Sept. 25, 2009

The activity of an Iranian enrichment plant under construction is within the framework of the U.N. nuclear agency's regulations, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Friday.

Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's nuclear energy agency chief, said construction of the plant was to preserve the Islamic Republic's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the ISNA news agency reported.

He said in a statement all necessary "defensive aspects" had been taken into consideration in building the plant, suggesting measures to protect it against military attack.

Iran operating second enrichment site

FP | Sept. 25, 2009

President Barack Obama today accused Iran of building a second nuclear enrichment plant, unknown to U.S. inspectors. U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly been monitoring this site, inside a mountain near the ancient city of Qum for some time but the administration has chosen to make the news public today after an unspecified intelligence breakthrough. Obama made an announcement of the news along with the leaders of Britain and France this morning at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh.

Iran acknowledged the plant in a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday, saying it had a "pilot plant" whose existence it had not previously revealed. U.S. officials say the plant is not yet operational but could be within a year.

Official statements by the IAEA spokesman

Gulf/2000 | Sept. 25, 2009

Quotes from IAEA Spokesman Marc Vidricaire on new pilot fuel enrichment plant in Iran

"I can confirm that on 21 September Iran informed the IAEA in a letter that a new pilot fuel enrichment plant is under construction in the country."

"The letter stated that the enrichment level would be up to 5%."

"Iran assured the Agency in the letter that 'Further complementary information will be provided in an appropriate and due time.'"

"In response, the IAEA has requested Iran to provide specific information and access to the facility as soon as possible. This will allow the Agency to assess safeguards verification requirements for the facility."

"The Agency also understands from Iran that no nuclear material has been introduced into the facility."

The IAEA press office can give no other information or background on the issue.

Students guided on appropriate questions to pose to Ahmadinejad

Mowjcamp | Sept. 25, 2009