Iran has begun building the second unit at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, state television reported. Tehran has begun pouring cement at the plant in the presence of Iranian and Russian officials, while stressing that diplomacy is still open, despite a move to reduce its commitments to the nuclear deal.
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, spoke of the importance of using nuclear energy to generate power for future generations. "Every 1,000 megawatts of nuclear power will prevent 21 million tons of polluting gases until 2027," he said.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry dismissed reports that the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had found uranium traces at an Iranian site previously described by Israel as a "secret nuclear store" and described them as a "trap."
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told member states during a closed-door briefing on Wednesday that they had found traces of uranium at the undeclared Iranian site, two months after the first Reuters report of samples taken from a site in Iran and traces of uranium found there. Diplomats at the meeting said it appeared to be the same site.
"Israel is trying to reopen this dossier," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in remarks broadcast on state television. "We have declared that this is a trap. We hope the IAEA will maintain its vigilance."
Diplomats said the IAEA assured member states that the traces of samples taken in February from the site were uranium processed without enrichment, and that the explanations given by Iran so far had not been proven.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry considered that it gave diplomacy enough time before taking decisions to reduce the obligations stipulated in the nuclear agreement. Mousavi said: "Iran gave diplomacy enough opportunity. When it decided to start reducing the commitments, this was based on its rights in the nuclear agreement."
He pointed out that the fourth phase of the reduction of commitments, which began last week, confirms that Iran is "serious in its positions and does not compromise on its interests," and said at the same time that "the door of diplomacy is still open, but we do not hold hope for anyone, and we carry out our tasks according to We are not waiting for the promises of others. ”
Last week, Iran began the fourth phase of reducing commitments under the nuclear deal with major world powers. The move involves pumping uranium hexafluoride gas into the Fordow facility.
The United States last year withdrew from the nuclear deal, which was aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear arsenal in return for economic benefits.
The United States is now putting extreme pressure on Iran to force it to negotiate a broader deal beyond its nuclear program, but Tehran insists it will not enter into any negotiations with the United States unless Washington shows "good faith."
Iran has made a significant reduction in its obligations under the agreement, in order to pressure other states parties to take concrete steps to ensure the economic benefits provided for in the agreement in the interest of Iran.
- «Iranian Foreign Ministry» denies reports
About traces of uranium at the site
unpublished.