Iran Reaches Nuke Landmark

Iran is another step closer to reaching its long-term nuclear goals, now that 3,000 centrifuges are up and running as part of its uranium enrichment program. Some experts in the West say 3,000 centrifuges technically could be sufficient to produce a nuclear weapon within a year.

AP via the Jerusalem Post:

[President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad on Wednesday reiterated his rejection of any suspension of Iran’s enrichment activities, or even a compromise over how Teheran will proceed beyond the 3,000 centrifuges.

“They say they’ve swallowed (bitterly accepted) these 3,000 and want to reach an agreement with us on what to do, at what speed, how many (centrifuges) a day or week,” Ahmadinejad said of latest Western pressures.

“Our response is: ‘Who are you to make comments about the Iranian nation ... do we ask you how many machines you have,’ ” Ahmadinejad added.
He also said he had bluntly refused a recent offer to negotiate with the United States over Iran’s nuclear activities.

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AP photo / Vahid Salemi

Energy for the people or uranium for bombs?  A technician works at Iran’s Uranium Conversion Facility south of Tehran.