Iran enriches uranium to higher level

IRAN: Iran says it is now enriching uranium to the level required for fueling nuclear power reactors, but it also sought to reassure its Arab neighbours that its soon-to-be completed reactor posed no threat to the environment.

"The latest enrichment percentage carried out in Iran is 4.8 percent," the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, said Wednesday, according to state television. Last month Iran announced it had enriched uranium to 3.6 percent.

Both levels are far below the enrichment of more than 90 percent that is required for making nuclear weapons. Aghazadeh added Iran had no intention of enriching uranium beyond 5 percent.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, denied during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, that the Bushehr reactor, located near the Persian Gulf coast opposite Saudi Arabia, presented any danger to the region.

"This is baseless ... This plant does not emit any harmful radiation. It does not even contain any nuclear fuel yet," the Emirates News Agency WAM quoted him as saying late Tuesday.

"The whole row has been fabricated by the U.S.," he added.

Larijani said it would be another year before nuclear fuel was brought to the plant for processing. Gulf states have voiced concern over the facility, stating the nuclear plant was not properly maintained and was based on outdated Russian designs.

Larijani dismissed the claims.

"Some circles are working to spread panic and tension in the region through hurling such accusations against Iran," he said. He said any Gulf mediation to ease the rising tensions would be welcome.

Nuclear chief Aghazadeh also announced the discovery of uranium deposits in southern Iran near the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Tehran, Thursday, AP