Iran has said it has taken further steps to develop its nuclear programme, stirring concern within the international community.
|PIC1|The country has installed a second centrifuge cascade for uranium enrichment, an Iranian student news agency, Isna, has reported.
Iranian scientists now intend to start injecting uranium gas into it within days, the report explains.
The UN Security Council had previously set a deadline at the end of August for Iran to stop enriching uranium, with the further threat of sanctions if it did not comply with this request.
However, Iran has rejected Western criticism of its nuclear programme and has continued to state that it is simply enriching uranium for electricity generation.
Although Iran's enrichment activity is still at a relatively modest stage, the latest development will be seen as an intentional act of defiance towards the US and its allies.
Iran first produced a small quantity of enriched uranium in February, but it has now doubled its capacity by installing a second cascade two weeks ago.
Iran had said earlier that it planned to install three thousand centrifuges by the end of this year. However, experts say that to produce industrial-scale nuclear fuel, tens of thousands of centrifuges would be needed.
The latest nuclear threat comes just weeks after North Korea's nuclear test. The UN Security Council decided to impose sanctions on the Asian country for that action, and it is believed that Iran's new move will further increase pressure on the Council to take similar action against Iran before the nuclear programme becomes more advanced.
-
The dire American political situation: a brief overview for faithful Christians in Britain
-
Conversion therapy ban supporters want prayer to be criminalised - this must not be allowed
-
Why the US election results do not bode well for America
-
Trump’s midterm defeat and its implications for Christians on both sides of the Atlantic
-
Police appeal for witnesses after head smashed off Jesus statue at church war memorial
-
Are we seeing the end of Western civilisation?
Most Popular
related articles
North Korea Warns of Serious Retaliation Against Japanese Sanctions
North Korea has threatened "strong" retaliation against Japanese sanctions as the UN considers what action it will take against the closed Communist state which claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb Monday.
UN Expects to Impose North Korea Sanctions Saturday
The UN is expected to impose North Korea sanctions despite some concerns voiced by Russia and China which has made clear its opposition to military action against the country following Monday's nuclear test.
North Korea Angry over UN Sanctions
Pyongyang has condemned the UN Security Council for passing a resolution which imposes weapons and financial sanctions on North Korea after its claimed nuclear test last Monday.
Suspicious Activity in North Korea Sparks Fears of Second Nuclear Test
Intelligence agencies have warned that satellites have detected suspicious movements near the 9 October nuclear test site in North Korea, immediately sparking fears that a second nuclear test was pending...
North Korea Mocks Calls to Halt Nuclear Tests as US and China Hold Urgent Talks
North Korea yesterday signalled that it would ignore the international community's demands to halt any further nuclear tests, as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held crisis talks with Asian allies to lay down a clear and unanimous way forward...
News
Is religion making a comeback among young Americans? Study urges caution
New research from Pew Research Center suggests that while there are encouraging signs of religious engagement among younger adults, the evidence of a broader resurgence remains inconclusive.
Calls for inquiry into Queensland assisted suicide system
Despite the rise in deaths, the watering down of safeguards has been proposed.
Justin Welby says government reparations for slavery a ‘moral evil’
Welby was supportive of Project Spire during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury.
South Sudanese churches work for peace as tensions mount
South Sudan is the world's youngest sovereign nation.
