IAEA says Iran building underground nuclear facility

Vienna, Oct 28: IAEA inspectors on Wednesday confirmed that Iran has started work on building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack, according to the agency’s head, Al Jazeera reported.

The UN atomic watchdog further said that Iran has begun to stockpile greater amounts of low-enriched uranium. However, according to Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as of now it does not appear that Iran has enough uranium to produce a weapon.

Following the July explosion at the Natanz nuclear site, Tehran had said that it would build a new, more secure, structure in the mountains around the area.

But satellite images of Natanz do not show any signs of construction at the site in Iran’s central Isfahan province.

But Grossi said that the process has already been initiated and since its a long drawn out process it will take time to find hard proof.

He refused to give further details saying it’s “confidential information”. Iran’s mission to the UN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(UNI)