Iran’s government said Tuesday 9 February it will begin immediate enrichment of uranium to 20 percent grade in order to supply a reactor for medical research. The government repeated its claims that its research is for peaceful purposes. Western nations and Russia are voicing doubts, saying that Iran does not have the technical know-how to use the enriched uranium for medical purposes. They now put its capabilities a step closer to what is known as “nuclear breakout”, the ability to build weapons.

Western nations on the UN Security Council prepared to garner support for even tighter sanctions on Iran. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the UN should seek new sanctions against Iran in “weeks, not months.”

Iran’s move ends the plan to exchange Iranian low-grade uranium for foreign-sourced higher-grade uranium, which would have eliminated the possibility of developing enrichment facilities in Iran.

Links to other sites: CBC, Ria Novosti, The Times, Voice of America

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