ISRAEL/FILE: Iran move to speed up nuclear programme troubles Israel

Record ID: 397732

  • Title: ISRAEL/FILE: Iran move to speed up nuclear programme troubles Israel
  • Date: 22nd February 2013
  • Summary: REUT, MODIIN, ISRAEL (FEBRUARY 22, 2013) (REUTERS) VIEW OF ISRAELI PRIME MINSTER SPOKESMAN MARK REGEV (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, SPOKESPERSON FOR ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, SAYING: "This new report by the United Nations is of a grave concern because it shows clearly that the Iranians are more close than ever before to having enough enriched uranium for nuclea
  • Embargoed: 9th March 2013 12:00
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  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVACDRZYRTIAAAS0T8BHN6N5USMH
  • Story Text: Israel expressed "grave concern" about Iran's nuclear ambitions on Friday (February 22), ahead of a resumption of international talks with Tehran next week.
    In a confidential report made public on Thursday (February 21), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said 180 so-called IR-2m centrifuges and empty centrifuge casings had been put in place at the facility near the town of Natanz in central Iran. They were not yet operating but if launched successfully such machines could enable Iran to significantly speed up its accumulation of material that the West fears could be used to devise a nuclear weapon.
    "This new report by the United Nations is of a grave concern because it shows clearly that the Iranians are more close than ever before to having enough enriched uranium for nuclear weapons and that simply cannot happen. We cannot allow the Ayatollahs in Iran to have a nuclear weapon," said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev.
    White House spokesman Jay Carney warned Iran that it would face further pressure and isolation if it failed to address international concerns about its nuclear programme in the Feb. 26 talks with world powers in the Kazakh city of Almaty.
    Netanyahu, who has strongly hinted at possible military action if sanctions and diplomacy fail to halt Iran's nuclear drive, told the United Nations in September that Iran must not be allowed to amass enough higher-enriched uranium to make even a single warhead.
    Israel has given a rough deadline of mid-2013 as the date by which Tehran could have enough higher-grade uranium to produce a single atomic bomb if processed further. Experts say about 240-250 kg of 20 percent enriched uranium would be needed.
    Iran denies Western accusations that it is seeking to develop a capability to make atomic bombs. Tehran says it is Israel's assumed nuclear arsenal that threatens peace.
    Regev said the issue would be at the top of the agenda when Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama meet next month.
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