The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the launch of the uranium enriching facility Fordu in Iran, a facility, RIA Novosti reports. The facility can enrich uranium to 20%.
The US considers such high uranium enrichment is inappropriate and added that it would cause further escalation and violations of UN and IAEA resolutions, spokeswoman of the US State Department Victoria Nuland said.
She noted that the US is urging Iran to stop uranium enrichment and start cooperating with the IAEA.
British Secretary of State William Hague called uranium enrichment at Fordu a provocative step, ITAR-TASS reports.
The secretary said that Iran has no reasons to produce such highly enriched uranium for the research reactor in Tehran. It has enough stockpiles of uranium to keep the reactor running for over 5 years. He added that Iran needs to stop the process and renew negotiations with the six mediators of the nuclear program.
France had a critical attitude to the issue as well. Spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry Romen Nadal said that it is a new provocation that leaves nothing else to do except pass new international sanctions together with European partners and other allies.
Fereydun Abbasi-Davani, head of the Iranian Organization for Atomic Energy, said in August that the enrichment facility in Natanza producing 20%-enriched uranium would be moved to Fordu. He explained that Fordu provides better security because it is located underground, protected from bombing by the US and its allies.
Abbasi-Davani added that there are no plans to exceed 20% enrichment.
