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Iran's Nuclear Chief: 20 Enrichment Sites Needed

by snuffysmith | December 5, 2009 at 10:34 am

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VOA News 05 December 2009

Photo: AP
Ali Akbar Salehi (file photo)

Iran's nuclear chief says his country needs 20 uranium enrichment plants to produce enough fuel for its nuclear power facilities.

His comments Saturday mark Iran's second statement this week to expand its atomic program, in defiance of U.N. demands to halt its uranium enrichment work.

Salehi also said Iran has no plans to pull out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said Western countries are maneuvering to force Tehran out of the pact.

Iran's rationale for so many sites is simple.

Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran is in need of 20,000 megawatts of electricity, which would require 20 times the amount of nuclear fuel that can be produced at its facility in Natanz.