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Tehran's announcement came a day after talks in London with European negotiators
yielded no results. France, Britain and Germany, acting on behalf of the
25-nation European Union, are seeking guarantees from Iran that it will not use
its nuclear program to make weapons, as Washington suspects.
Top Iranian nuclear negotiator Hasan Rowhani was quoted as saying Tehran expects
to restart enrichment activities -- injecting uranium gas into centrifuges -- at
its uranium conversion facility in Isfahan.
"It's unlikely that uranium enrichment ... which takes place in Natanz, will be
resumed, but it's likely that some activities at Isfahan Uranium Conversion
Facility will restart next week," IRNA quoted Rowhani as saying Saturday.
The central cities of Natanz and Isfahan house the heart of Iran's nuclear
program. The Isfahan conversion facility reprocesses uranium ore concentrate
into gas, which is then taken to Natanz and fed into the centrifuges for
enrichment.
In Vienna, Austria, a senior diplomat close to the International Atomic Energy
Agency said the U.N. nuclear watchdog body had not been informed as of Saturday
afternoon of Tehran's intention. The official spoke on condition of anonymity
because of the issue's sensitivity.
The Europeans want Iran to permanently abandon enrichment, a process that can
produce nuclear reactor fuel and, when taken to a higher level, material for
bombs. In return, it is offering Iran economic aid, technical support and
backing for Tehran's efforts to join mainstream international organizations.
Washington last month agreed to support the EU effort but signaled that Iran --
which Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month labeled an "outpost of
tyranny" -- should quickly accept it or face harsh Security Council sanctions.
Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and for generating
electricity.
Tehran's announcement came a day after talks in London with European negotiators
yielded no results. France, Britain and Germany, acting on behalf of the
25-nation European Union, are seeking guarantees from Iran that it will not use
its nuclear program to make weapons, as Washington suspects.
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