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Iran Starts Moving Uranium Centrifuges to Bunker Near Qum

IN THIS ISSUE: Iran moves uranium centrifuges, Libya's Scud-B force, Fukushima zone to be off limits for decades, Belarus backs out of US weapons-grade nuke materials deal, N. Korea ready to restart disarmament talks, laser advances in nuclear fuel stir terror fear.

Published on August 23, 2011
 

Iran Starts Moving Uranium Centrifuges to Bunker

Mitra Amiri | Reuters

Natanz

Iran has begun moving machines that enrich uranium to an underground bunker near the holy city of Qom, a senior official said, a move likely to fan Western fears of an Iranian advance toward nuclear weapons capability.

His announcement was a further sign of the Islamic state's determination to press ahead with enrichment in defiance of international demands that it desist from such activity, which Tehran says will be for peaceful applications only.

"Transferring Natanz centrifuges to Fordow (near Qom) is under way with full observance of standards," Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani told state broadcaster IRIB. "Fordow's facilities are being prepared and some centrifuges have been transferred." Iran announced in June that it would shift its production of higher-grade uranium from its main enrichment complex in the central city of Natanz to the subterranean site at Fordow. Full Article   



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