US warns as defiant Iran vows new uranium plants

Two days after the UN atomic watchdog condemned Tehran for building a second uranium enrichment plant, state television reported that the cabinet ordered building to begin at five new sites earmarked for enrichment plants.

It also ordered officials to locate sites for another five such facilities over the next two months, the broadcaster's website reported.

Ali Akbar Salehi, vice-president and the head of Iran's atomic organisation, was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying his team will implement the cabinet's decree.

"The decision taken today is a firm reply to the indecent move by the five-plus-one in the latest IAEA meeting," he said of the P5+1 group comprising the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

Earlier on Sunday the conservative-dominated parliament urged the government to reduce ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency for condemning the building of Iran's second uranium enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom.

Friday's IAEA resolution saw China and Russia, which have close links with Tehran, join Britain, France, Germany and the United States in condemning Iran over the Qom plant, being built inside a mountain.

"Ten new enrichment sites will be built. We are as much committed to our rights as we are to our international obligations," Salehi said.

"From now on our enrichment sites will not be built in the open air but in the hearts of mountains... They will not be concentrated in one area... taking into consideration all safety measures from any attacks."

Neither of Tehran's arch-foes, Washington and Israel, has ruled out air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

After the cabinet announcement, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that time is running out for Iran.

"If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself," he said in a statement.

"The international community has made clear that Iran has rights, but with those rights come responsibilities," he said.

"Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear programme."

[link to www.breitbart.com]

Last Edited by Account Deleted by User on 11/02/2011 06:18 PM