The third generation of centrifuges is more efficient and can enrich uranium faster. The separating power of these centrifuges is six times higher than its predecessors.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Director Ali-Akbar Salehi made speeches outlining the country’s nuclear achievements at the ceremony.
Ahmadinejad said sanctions cannot hinder Iran’s nuclear progress. “No country can halt the Iranian nation’s progress,” he stated.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad called the new nuclear arms reduction treaty, known as the new START pact, which was signed by the United States and Russia in Prague on Thursday, a big lie.
He reiterated Tehran’s position that Iran is prepared to conduct a nuclear fuel swap and to share its nuclear expertise with its neighbors.
Ahmadinejad proposes new bloc of countries seeking nuclear disarmament
Ahmadinejad said nuclear disarmament will not be materialized by those who produce and possess nuclear weapons.
For over 60 years, they have been saying that they seek to curtail the production of nuclear weapons, but all their policies have focused on the development of such weapons, he noted.
He also called on independent countries to make efforts to establish a new grouping with the goal of eradicating nuclear weapons.
Bushehr plant to come on stream by summer
Salehi announced that the Bushehr nuclear power plant would become operational by summer.
The AEOI director also announced that the sites where the new enrichment facilities will be built have been selected.
On the geological studies, he said considerable reserves of uranium have been found in Yazd Province and new exploration projects are under way.
In conclusion, Salehi elaborated on the country’s nuclear achievements, saying they have applications in the medical, agricultural, and industrial spheres.
Final test of Bushehr nuclear power plant conducted
The main and final test needed before the Bushehr nuclear power plant can start producing electricity was also conducted on Friday.
The warm-water test at the 1000-megawatt Bushehr plant was carried out and all the facility’s equipment was examined at high temperatures.
Iran has announced that it needs to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy over the next two decades to meet the energy demands of its growing population.
AM/PA/HG
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MNA