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A view of what is believed to be a uranium enrichment facility near Qom, Iran, is seen in this satellite photograph released Friday.
(AP)
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Last update - 18:11 26/09/2009
Report: New Iran nuclear facility will be operational soon
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent, and News Agencies
Tags: Israel News, Iran 

Iran's newly disclosed nuclear fuel facility will soon become operational, an aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying on Saturday.

The statement came a day after U.S. President Barack Obama demanded that Iran come clean about its nuclear program or face "sanctions that bite" after the disclosure of the new uranium enrichment plant under construction south of Tehran.

"This new plant, God willing, will soon become operational and will make the enemies blind," Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, who heads Khamenei's office, said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
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Mohammadi-Golpayegani, a cleric, said the construction of the plant was a sign of Iran being at the "summit of power," Fars reported. He was speaking at a ceremony marking the start of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

Ahmadinejad: Israel wouldn't dare attack Iran

Meanwhile Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Israel "will not dare attack Iran" and that if Israel does, "the Iranians can defend themselves."

"We are not concerned [about an Israeli attack]. Iran is a very big country. Much larger and bigger than what some people think and imagine," Ahmadinejad told a news conference.

Ahmadinejad's statement came hours after he said the United States, Britain and France would "regret" accusing Iran of hiding a nuclear fuel
facility, saying it was not a secret site.

Ahmadinejad, speaking at a New York news conference, said Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency early about the facility, which the Western leaders on Friday labeled a direct challenge to the international community.

"It's not a secret site. If it was, why would we have informed the IAEA about it a year ahead of time," Ahmadinejad said. "They [the United States, Britain and France] will regret this announcement."

The statement came after Ahmadinejad said Iran was not obliged to tell the Obama administration of every uranium enrichment plant it has, turning up the heat in a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

"This does not mean we must inform Mr. Obama's administration of every facility that we have," he told Time magazine in an interview when asked about Obama's charge that a nuclear fuel plant had been built secretly.

"We have no secrecy, we work within the framework of the IAEA," Ahmadinejad told Time in a reference to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Ahmadinejad's comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the IAEA must investigate Iran's newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant and Tehran must take immediate steps to show its program is peaceful.

"This is now a clear challenge to the international community," Clinton told reporters in New York after Iran told the IAEA it had a second uranium enrichment plant under construction. The disclosure by Iran came just as six world powers and Iran prepare for rare talks on Oct. 1.

"This facility sharpens our sense of urgency and underscores Iran's absolute need to engage seriously with us on October 1 and take immediate steps to demonstrate the exclusively peaceful nature of their nuclear program," she said after a meeting with Belgium's foreign minister.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry released a statement following the revelation of the second plat, saying "In light of Iran's continuing deception, the international community must step up its demands that Iran halt its enrichment and reprocessing work."

Following the revelation of a second uranium enrichment plant in Iran, House Republican Whip Eric Cantor issued the following statement:

"Iran is a real-time security threat to the United States, Israel, and our allies around the world. A nuclear Iran is closer than many thought it was yesterday, and the problem is getting worse by the day, not better.

"The existence of a second uranium enrichment facility not only undercuts the Administration's policy toward Iran, but leaves little doubt that terrorist nations are not to be trusted or negotiated with diplomatically. Congress should act immediately to give the President the tools he needs to implement sanctions on Iran by passing the bipartisan Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act."

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor issued a statement Friday saying Iran "is a real-time security threat to the United States, Israel, and our allies around the world. A nuclear Iran is closer than many thought it was yesterday, and the problem is getting worse by the day, not better."

Cantor added, "The existence of a second uranium enrichment facility not only undercuts the Administration's policy toward Iran, but leaves little doubt that terrorist nations are not to be trusted or negotiated with diplomatically."

Russia: Revelation of Iranian facility disturbing

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday urged Iran to prove it is not seeking to develop atomic weapons, stepping up pressure on Tehran and signaling increased solidarity with Western nations determined to rein in its nuclear program.

Medvedev said revelations that Iran has secretly been building a
uranium-enrichment plant raised serious concerns, and demanded Tehran come to the table at an international meeting next week with a cooperative attitude and evidence of peaceful intentions.

"We are counting on Iran - particularly in light of the newly revealed
information about the construction of a new enrichment plant - to provide
convincing evidence of its intention to seek to develop nuclear energy with purely peaceful aims," Medvedev said in the statement.

His remarks, in a statement released during a G-20 summit overshadowed by
worries over Iran, added to indications that Russia could support tougher
sanctions if Tehran fails to comply with demands it come clean and halt
uranium enrichment. But Medvedev did not mention sanctions or any other
consequences Iran could face if it refuses to fall in line.

Medvedev said the undeclared construction of an enrichment facility flies in the face of UN Security Council demands for Iran to stop uranium enrichment at its only declared enrichment facility. He suggested the UN nuclear agency should take steps immediately to investigate the second site and called for Iran's full cooperation with the probe.

"The revelation about the construction of a second facility only strengthens our determination to achieve concrete and verifiable results in the years-long international efforts for clarity on Iran's nuclear program and its goals," Medvedev said.

Medvedev's new tone may raise U.S. hopes for a significant shift in Russia's stance on Iran. But Moscow may not go far beyond sanctions - and may again use its clout to ensure the punitive measures aren't too strong for its tastes.

Russia will only approve anctions that stop short of economic warfare or a military solution, Sergei Karaganov, Kremlin-connected head of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, an advisory body, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Medvedev stressed that Russia is committed to a serious dialogue with Iran and the meeting is a chance for Tehran to show it is determined to seek a negotiated solution to the dispute over its nuclear program - another hint that Moscow could support new sanctions if that doesn't happen.

China responded to news of the secret neactor by saying that they hope Iran "will cooperate with the IAEA on this matter."

Egypt warns of Mideast nuclear arms race
Egypt's foreign minister is warning that a nuclear-capable Israel and an Iran pursuing nuclear weapons could trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in an interview Friday with the Associated Press that Iran has a right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy but it must be verified by the UN nuclear agency.

If the existence of a new uranium plant was kept secret, he said, that would shed doubts on the credibility of Iran's claim that its nuclear program was purely peaceful.

Aboul Gheit said Israel is assumed to possess nuclear weapons, and if Iran is also acquiring a nuclear capability many countries in the Middle East would be uneasy, triggering an arms race.

In the case of Iran, Aboul Gheit said, "one has to verify ? is it a peaceful nuclear effort or (if) it has an objective beyond."

"If it has an objective beyond, of course, Egypt very much objects to the introduction of nuclear weapons to this part of the world," he said.

"I hope that we would manage to verify that the Iranians are not going nuclear militarily," he said.

Aboul Gheit recalled that Egypt and Iran started pressing for the Middle East to be a nuclear weapons-free zone in 1974, and the two countries presented draft resolutions to the U.N. General Assembly for years calling for the establishment of such a zone.

If it turns out "that there is a military component for that Iranian nuclear project, then that would complicate very much the situation in the Middle East," he said.

Asked whether Iran's suspected nuclear ambitions and Israel's suspected nuclear arsenal could trigger an arms race by other countries in the Middle East to get nuclear weapons, in spite of calls for a nuclear weapons-free zone, Aboul Gheit replied: "Yes, and I'm of that view."

"Why is it so?," he asked. "Because if we have, what we assume a nuclear capable Israel and if we see that Iran is also ... acquiring a nuclear capability, then we would have two players in that part of the world, one on the Mediterranean, Israel, and the other on the (Persian) Gulf."

"So you would see, and you would find that you have a land mass of Arab countries and Arab people that do not feel at ease with that setting," Aboul Gheit said. "I would feel that the Turks would also be uneasy like a country like Egypt."

He wouldn't speculate how Egypt might respond.

"But the situation would be uneasy and it would trigger an arms race, no doubt about it," Aboul Gheit said. "Experience has taught us that you introduce one weapon, somebody else will try to acquire always that weapon."

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      1.   "We don`t have to tell Obama of every nuclear plant we have".... 21:53  |  Romy 25/09/09
      2.   IAEA Another UN Joke 22:27  |  Jane 25/09/09
      3.   Baradei was a liar, gullible, or on Iran`s payroll 22:27  |  JB 25/09/09
      4.   Past due 22:30  |  Paul 25/09/09
      5.   Biblical Problem has Biblical Solution 22:31  |  Shimon Cleopas 25/09/09
      6.   Almadinejad 22:43  |  Max 25/09/09
      7.   Attack these sites NOW! 22:48  |  Jeremy 25/09/09
      8.   It is double standard policy 22:56  |  Tony Silver 25/09/09
      9.   #8--Iran is a long-time serial abuser of NNPT 23:32  |  Paul Freedman 25/09/09
      10.   Gremlin President 23:35  |  Pro Soldier 25/09/09
      11.   to # 4 23:37  |  JJ 25/09/09
      12.   #7 - Jeremy - Easy To Say ... 23:40  |  Itzhar 25/09/09
      13.   ahmadinejad isreal will not dare attack iran 23:51  |  dave 25/09/09
      14.   whats up 23:57  |  me 25/09/09
      15.   Ahmadinejad and his challenges 00:01  |  Brod 26/09/09
      16.   Is Iran following Israel`s example of nuclear secrecy? 00:11  |  Maureen Ann 26/09/09
      17.   Iran vs the world 00:14  |  Brod 26/09/09
      18.   How much are you willing to bet Mahmoud? 00:21  |  Murray of Montreal 26/09/09
      19.   #8 Tony Silver; There has always been a double standard 00:23  |  Murray of Montreal 26/09/09
      20.   Reality Check 00:25  |  Samson 26/09/09
      21.   #1 Romy in Spain 00:36  |  Lou Medel 26/09/09
      22.   zio-entity is to chicken to attack iran 00:43  |  they want to get goy 26/09/09
      23.   Birds of Prey 00:44  |  NJ 26/09/09
      24.   The more the better 00:47  |  Arnold 26/09/09
      25.   How long do we have to wait... 00:48  |  Clock 26/09/09
      26.   Attack those sites now. #7 Jeremy 00:49  |  Ron 26/09/09
      27.   Israel 00:51  |  Anita 26/09/09
      28.   The Talking Is Over 01:27  |  Bill Foonman 26/09/09
      29.   Enough games, Iran now needs to prove its case 01:51  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      30.   That`s what Sadam thought. 02:01  |  leoblue 26/09/09
      31.   israel is afraid of consequences 02:04  |  parsi 26/09/09
      32.   re 8 just the truth Tony 02:06  |  alan the real one 26/09/09
      33.   the conundum 02:09  |  usedtoposthere 26/09/09
      34.   Put Up or Shut Up Time 02:41  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      35.   Saddam Hussein: America will not dare attack Iraq 02:56  |  Jasper 26/09/09
      36.   dangerous gamble 03:22  |  heretic 26/09/09
      37.   Tony Silver 03:47  |  Hank 26/09/09
      38.   Israeli Irony 03:56  |  Dandy-lion 26/09/09
      39.   Iran does not threateh America. Why are so many Jewish Americans 04:00  |  American in NY 26/09/09
      40.   Lostng the Option of a First-strike on Iran 04:04  |  Twin Picks 26/09/09
      41.   Mark of Lewiston, you don`t make the decisions 05:17  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      42.   UN is a perfect organization 06:24  |  C2 26/09/09
      43.   most of iranian people hate ahmadinejad but... 07:13  |  arash parsi 26/09/09
      44.   Israel has no choice 07:20  |  Michael 26/09/09
      45.   # 10 to bill re: taking out all iranian nuclear facilities 07:44  |  eric 26/09/09
      46.   That Photo... 07:45  |  Yosemite 26/09/09
      47.   #15, arash parsi 07:57  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      48.   #11, Mark 07:59  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      49.   Peter Williams - Obama`s Not in the Mood 08:24  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      50.   Tosemites never failing humor, 08:29  |  Gotta love it. 26/09/09
      51.   This man obviously does not know Israel`s confidence 08:33  |  Sad day coming 26/09/09
      52.   # 10 Bill Foonman 08:33  |  maoriboy 26/09/09
      53.   Yosemite Semite, feed your head - here are the coordinates 08:34  |  Born In The USA 26/09/09
      54.   Beat Crazy 08:51  |  NJ 26/09/09
      55.   Iran only has to give 6 months notice before operational start 08:52  |  Marc Leb 26/09/09
      56.   Ahmadinejad: Israel will not dare attack Iran 08:58  |  MFED 26/09/09
      57.   Attack these sites NOW 09:04  |  MFED 26/09/09
      58.   Tony SIlver 09:09  |  Ehud 26/09/09
      59.   Yosemite - More Like Harvey 09:13  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      60.   Israels reaction 09:42  |  Clever ADG 26/09/09
      61.   Sanctions will not work. Period. 10:31  |  Stephen. 26/09/09
      62.   IAEC - Israel Atomic Energy Commission. 10:56  |  Maureen Ann 26/09/09
      63.   Tehran says Islam forbids nuclear weapons 11:13  |  allang 26/09/09
      64.   Iran 11:21  |  Michael (UK) 26/09/09
      65.   i dont see how you can talk so much trash about iran 12:19  |  ali 26/09/09
      66.   how to deal with iran 12:29  |  kid kosher 26/09/09
      67.   Mark it`s not about committing troops 12:32  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      68.   Sanctions do NOT matter. Just wait until they have the BOMB... 12:56  |  S 26/09/09
      69.   IRAN Atom Facility SMOKESCREEN ! 13:21  |  The Teacher/Instruct 26/09/09
      70.   Peter Williams - Making the Same Mistakes 13:25  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      71.   I see ignorance is alive and well. Read the NPT 14:24  |  CJ 26/09/09
      72.   Just found ? 14:42  |  Webber 26/09/09
      73.   Iran survived a war for 8 years, IDF could barely handle Hezbolla 15:03  |  Marc Leb 26/09/09
      74.   Trigger an arms race? 15:04  |  Druid 26/09/09
      75.   Everyone understands that Israel is small state and is defensive 15:07  |  r 26/09/09
      76.   Peter Williams and pushing buttons... 15:27  |  Tzfonit 26/09/09
      77.   #52..Mark of Lewiston 15:33  |  Malone 26/09/09
      78.   Some reflection and facts for Marc Leb 15:39  |  Tzfonit 26/09/09
      79.   Strike Iran NOW! 17:31  |  Morris Valentine 26/09/09
      80.   Tzfonit please don`t spoil Peter Williams fun #76 17:37  |  uriah 26/09/09
      81.   If Iran wants atom bombs, Israel should give them one/several 17:54  |  Luc Tremblay 26/09/09
      82.   Marc Leb #73 on the uniting of Iran 18:02  |  Murray of Montreal 26/09/09
      83.   #24 Arnold - What countries don`t dare do 18:08  |  Yonatan 26/09/09
      84.   Help end air pollution and the greenhouse effect 18:17  |  Yonatan 26/09/09
      85.   Yonatan # 83 19:07  |  Arnold 26/09/09
      86.   r #75 `everyone understands` 19:48  |  p 26/09/09
      87.   Trigger an arms race? 20:25  |  Jonathan Howard 26/09/09
      88.   #79..Morris Valentine 21:06  |  Malone 26/09/09
      89.   # 79 agreed,time is not on Iisrael`s side.Russia and or China 21:11  |  Howard 26/09/09
      90.   iran 21:11  |  persian 26/09/09
      91.   #68, S, "look at North Korea," yes, then look at Iran 21:57  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      92.   #61, Stephen, "sanctions will not work, period." 22:04  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      93.   Iran against the palestinians 22:57  |  arik 26/09/09
      94.   Then go for it Israel 01:08  |  Mike McKenna 27/09/09
      95.   Iran, israel and the world economy 01:31  |  Ahmed 27/09/09
      96.   Stephen in Geneva #61 and your Emmental plan. 01:58  |  Roo 27/09/09
      97.   #79 Morris Valentine so impatient for war! 01:59  |  Roo 27/09/09
      98.   #79 Morris Valentine so impatient for war! 01:13  |  Roo 27/09/09
      99.   Stephen in Geneva #61 and your Emmental plan. 01:14  |  Roo 27/09/09
      100.   Real, vs Unreal Threats 01:28  |  Mark Lincoln 27/09/09
      101.   Look at that road 01:31  |  Mark Lincoln 27/09/09
      102.   Whom will invade and occupy Iran? 01:44  |  Mark Lincoln 27/09/09
      103.   Roo..#93 03:03  |  Malone 27/09/09
      104.   Mark of Lewiston 06:48  |  Peter Williams 27/09/09
      105.   Tzfonit 06:56  |  Peter Williams 27/09/09
      106.   #100 Mark Lincoln.... Tehran`s accountability 08:43  |  allang 27/09/09
      107.   102 Peter Williams - It Didn`t Work 09:46  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/09/09
      108.   Uriah 14:12  |  Peter Williams 27/09/09
      109.   Mark of Lewiston there won`t be a ground invasion 14:31  |  Peter Williams 27/09/09
      110.   #53 born in the us, 34° 53` 05.00"n, 50° 59` 49.60"e (2nd try) 18:09  |  eric 27/09/09
      111.   Iran is big but densely populated 19:58  |  Karoon 27/09/09
      112.   the empty facility near Qom is to monitor underground A-test 06:00  |  no centrifuges there 07/10/09
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