Tensions heighten with Iran
Iran is set to restart work at a uranium conversion plant today despite warnings from the European Union that it could prompt an international crisis.
Britain, as president of the EU, warned on Monday that the resumption of nuclear fuel work at the plant near Isfahan was “was unnecessary and damaging”.
Yesterday the EU warned Tehran its actions would end two years of negotiations over Iran’s atomic ambitions and could see Iran referred to the UN security council for possible sanctions.
But Ali Aghamohammadi, spokesman for Iran’s supreme national security council, said work to prepare the plant had already begun, although it would be supervised by inspectors from the international atomic energy agency (IAEA).
The IAEA urged delay, saying it would take at least a week to send and set up surveillance equipment in Isfahan, but Mr Aghamohammadi rejected this.
The heightening tensions come as Iran’s new hardline president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is sworn in today.
