Iran Brags of Fivefold Increase in Nuclear Abilities

5/1/2008

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In a fiery speech marking Iran’s National Day of Nuclear Technology, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that the Islamic Republic had accelerated its illicit atomic program by starting to install 6,000 new, more advanced IR-2 centrifuges at its primary nuclear facility in Natanz.

“The capacity of these new machines is five times greater than the current machines,” Ahmadinejad said, boasting that Tehran’s achievement marked the “beginning of a speedy trend to eliminate the big powers’” dominance in the field of nuclear technology.

The IR-2 centrifuge is a massive leap over the unreliable P-1 version that makes up the bulk of Iran’s fully functioning 3,000 unit enrichment facility. (The “P” reflects a Pakistani origin, whereas “IR” notes an Iranian model.) Proliferation experts have warned that by advancing its enrichment capabilities, Iran is potentially cutting in half the time it needs to enrich enough fuel for a nuclear weapon.

The United States condemned Ahmadinejad’s proclamations. “The Iranian government continues to be in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. “And with each step it takes, it continues to isolate its people and risk further international financial and diplomatic sanctions.”

Iran’s self-proclaimed nuclear progress comes just weeks after U.N. nuclear experts obtained documents detailing a years-long, clandestine effort by Iran to use civilian experts as cover for nuclear warhead research.

In addition, new satellite photographs have revealed a secret site where Iran is suspected of developing long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching targets as far away as Europe. The photographs suggest Iran is disguising its missile development as a space program, much like North Korea did over the last decade.

In light of these recent developments, the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany, have agreed to meet again to discuss how to press Iran to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons.  •NER•

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