• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

White House Says It Can't Confirm Iran Nuclear Step

October 27, 2006 -- The White House has said it cannot confirm reports that Iran has taken new steps toward enriching uranium.

The semi-official ISNA news agency reported today that Iran has doubled its capacity to enrich uranium through a process that uses a second network of centrifuges.

Iran's announcement comes at crucial period for international critics of its nuclear efforts. Ambassadors from the UN Security Council's veto-wielding members -- Britain, France, China, Russia, and the United States -- plus Germany were today reviewing a draft Security Council resolution that calls for sanctions against Iran.

White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that the United States does not want Iran moving toward the development of fissile material.

Earlier reports today suggested Iran had fed gas into a network of centrifuges at a uranium-enrichment facility despite threats of UN sanctions.

On October 25, Iran said it had the equipment necessary to step up uranium enrichment.

U.S. President George W. Bush also reiterated today his administration considers it "unacceptable" for Iran to develop or possess a nuclear weapon.

Washington and allies have accused Tehran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has criticized Iran for obfuscation over its nuclear program.

Iranian officials have consistently claimed that their nuclear program is strictly peaceful.

(ISNA, AFP, AP, Reuters)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org