BICOM

Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it intends to install a second-generation centrifuge at the Natanz nuclear plant, in a move that is widely considered a worrying expansion of the Iranian nuclear programme.

The IAEA, which is the UN body responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear development, received a letter from Tehran, which it relayed to member states and has also been seen by Reuters, detailing its upgrade of centrifuges at Natanz. According to the Telegraph, there are currently around 10,000 centrifuges at Natanz capable of enriching uranium to four per cent, while 3,000 centrifuges at Fordow are able to upgrade uranium to 20 per cent, considered just a short step from weapons-grade material. The instalment of the more advanced centrifuges at the Natanz plant, which is much larger than Fordow, would be considered a major development in Iran’s nuclear efforts.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said yesterday that although the development “does not come as a surprise,” Iran’s installation of advanced enrichment systems at Natanz constitutes a “provocative step.” Several media reports quote an unnamed senior Western diplomat who similarly commented, “It is certainly a provocation to increase any enrichment capacity at all.”

Earlier this week, spokesman for European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton accused Iran of “delaying tactics” which were hampering efforts to coordinate a latest round of talks between Tehran and the so-called P5+1 powers – the US, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany – who are leading the international effort to resolve concerns over Iran’s nuclear development. However, Ashton, who has been tasked with coordinating the discussions said yesterday “I am confident there will be a meeting soon.”