News

Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ordered his country's
atomic agency to begin the production of higher enriched uranium.

He said in comments broadcast Sunday on state television: "God willing,
20 percent enrichment will start" to meet Iran's needs. He did not give a
date for the start of the enrichment process.

Speaking at a meeting attended by the head of Iran's atomic energy
agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, Ahmadinejad said: "Mr. Salehi, begin
production of 20 percent" enriched uranium.

Producing enriched uranium is the international community's core concern
over Iran's nuclear program since it can be used to make nuclear
weapons. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes.