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Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani speaks during a press conference in Tehran. (AFP, File Photo)
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TEHRAN,
Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran says it will begin installing 3,000 centrifuges at a
uranium enrichment plant as of Sunday in response to a U.N. Security Council
resolution, the Kayhan newspaper said.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told the
newspaper that Iran will start from Sunday installing at its Natanz uranium
enrichment plant 3,000 centrifuges.
"As of today, we will start the activities at the
site of the 3,000 centrifuge machines in Natanz and we will drive it with full
speed," Larijani was quoted as saying.
"This is our immediate response to the U.N. Security
Council resolution," he added.
Larijani's remarks came just hours after the U.N.
Security Council passed the resolution that demands Iran end all uranium
enrichment-related work.
Tehran condemned the resolution as illegal, insisting
its nuclear program is peaceful.
Shortly after the U.N. Security Council voted
unanimously on Saturday to impose sanctions against Iran over its controversial
nuclear activities, the Iranian Foreign Ministry began to lash out at the
resolution as an "illegal measure."
Iran considers the new U.N. Security Council
resolution as "an illegal measure taken outside the framework of its duty and
against the U.N. Charter," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on
state television.
Natanz is the plant where Iran conducts uranium
enrichment.
The United States accuses Iran of developing nuclear
weapons under the cover of a peaceful program, a charged repeatedly denied by
Iran.
Related:
Iran defies UN resolution, vowing to
continue nuclear plans
TEHRAN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Saturday defied a
UN Security Council resolution that imposes sanctions on Tehran as an "illegal
measure," vowing to push ahead with its nuclear plans.
Ordinary Iranians showed mixed feelings toward the
resolution, with some considering it as "waging a war" and others shrugging it
off as nothing serious.
UN Security Council unanimously passes
resolution on Iran sanctions
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security
Council voted unanimously on Saturday to pass a resolution imposing sanctions
against Iran over its controversial nuclear activities.
The resolution, which followed weeks of negotiations,
demanded that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities,
including research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related
projects."
It also called on all states to impose a ban on trade
with Iran in goods related to its nuclear programs and ballistic missile
delivery systems.
Japan appreciates UN resolution on Iran
TOKYO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan said Sunday that it
appreciated the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution to
impose sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
"Japan is strongly concerned about the current
situation concerning Iran's nuclear issue, and considers it necessary to address
this issue in a resolute manner in view of the maintenance of the international
nuclear non-proliferation regime..." Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in a
statement.
Germany welcomes punitive UN
resolution on Iran nuclear issue
BERLIN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Germany welcomed a
resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Saturday to impose
sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Security
Council, demanded that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy
water-related projects."
U.S. wants more int'l action on
Iran
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States
said on Saturday that the U.N. Security Council resolution on Iran is not
enough, urging the international community to take more action against the
Islamic country.
"We don't think this resolution is enough in itself.
We want the international community to take further action," U.S. Under
Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said after the U.N.
Security Council passed the resolution on Iran for its defiance over its nuclear
program.
