Iran to upgrade uranium enrichment capability
Updated
![President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's nuclear policy has already resulted in three UN resolutions on sanctions, and financial pressure from the US. [AFP]](http://www.abc.net.au/ra/img/news/base/iran_ahmed_AFP_100506.jpg?<BR> "President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's nuclear policy has already resulted in three UN resolutions on sanctions, and financial pressure from the US. [AFP]")
President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's nuclear policy has already resulted in three UN resolutions on sanctions, and financial pressure from the US. [AFP]
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has announced plans to upgrade the country's uranium enrichment capabilities.
The president was speaking during a tour of Iran's main nuclear plant in Natanz on Tuesday, the second anniversary of Iran's first successful production of uranium sufficiently enriched to make atomic fuel.
Mr Ahmedinejad says an additional 6,000 new centrifuges would be added to the plant's existing 3,000 centrifuges.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters that Washington has been unable to verify President Ahmadinejad's announcement, but said it had not come as a surprise.
"The Iranian government continues to be in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and with each step it takes it continues to isolate its people and risk further international financial and diplomatic sanctions," he said.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended to generate electricity.
However the United States and other members of the international community fear Iran may use its enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons.
Tehran's refusal to suspend its nuclear program has already resulted in three sets of United Nations Security Council resolutions on sanctions, and US pressure on its banking system.
