We’ve no hidden nuke facility, asserts Iran

‘‘We do not have any site in Iran which is necessary to declare to the Agency based on its regulations,’’ Atomic Energy Organisation chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh told a news conference. ‘‘In the era of satellites, how could such huge facilities be hidden,’’ he asked. ‘‘The IAEA was informed months before.’’

Washington has accused Iran of violating the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which Tehran has signed.

Iran said this year an uranium enrichment plant would be built in Kashan in central Iran with fuel from Isfahan, where a uranium conversion facility (UCF) is nearing completion.

‘‘We have no other uranium enrichment plant except one in Kashan,’’ Aghazadeh said. But the Atomic Energy Organisation chief admitted Iran had imported uranium in 1991, a shipment the IAEA said it should have declared.

‘‘Some 1,800 kg of uranium was imported from China 12 years ago for a UCF,’’ Aghazadeh said. (Reuters)