Iran to IAEA: We will increase uranium enrichment

[February 08, 2010]  VIENNA (AP) -- A senior Iranian envoy says he has formally told the U.N. nuclear agency that his country will enrich uranium to higher levels.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh says Tehran will start enriching up to 20 percent from its present stock of lower enriched uranium.

Soltanieh is Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency. He told the AP Monday that the production is meant for fuel for Iran's research reactor, which produces medical isotopes. World powers fear higher enrichment could ease the way for the production of nuclear weapons.

Iran has ignored five U.N. Security Council resolutions that it freeze its enrichment program.

[Associated Press]

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