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Iran Plans 2 New Uranium Enrichment Plants

   VOA News 22 February 2010
   Iranian  President  Mahmoud  Ahmadinejad  visiting  the Natanz uranium
   enrichment facility

Photo: AFP

   A   handout  picture  released  by  the  official  website  of  Iran's
   presidency office shows Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visiting
   the Natanz uranium enrichment facility (File)

   Iran  says it is planning to begin building two new uranium enrichment
   facilities.
   Iranian  state  media  quote  the  head of Iran's nuclear program, Ali
   Akbar Salehi, saying Monday that construction should start in the next
   Iranian year, which begins in March.
   Iran  announced plans in November to build 10 new enrichment plants in
   addition  to  its existing facility in Natanz as the country continues
   to defy international calls to halt enrichment.
   The  United  States  and  other  world  powers  fear  Iran's increased
   enrichment  work  could be aimed at creating a nuclear weapon.  Tehran
   insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
   Washington  has  been leading efforts to impose a fourth round of U.N.
   sanctions against Iran for its nuclear activities.
   On  Sunday,  U.S.  General  David Petraeus said the United States will
   increase   pressure   on  Iran,  saying  it  has  given  Tehran  every
   opportunity to resolve the dispute through diplomacy.
   General  Petraeus  is head of the U.S. Central Command, which overseas
   American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   Speaking on U.S. television NBC's "Meet the Press" program he said the
   United  States  is  on a "pressure track" to persuade Iran to slow its
   nuclear program.
   Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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