Iran launched second cascade of centrifuges under IAEA watch

TEHRAN, Aug. 11 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has stated that the second cascade of centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment facility has been launched under the eyes of IAEA inspectors.

The effort has been in line with the announcement by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on February 11 that Iran was on schedule to enrich uranium to 20 percent in order to power the Tehran nuclear research reactor, Mehmanparast said at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.

International Atomic Energy Agency spokeswoman Gill Tudor has said, “The IAEA can confirm that on 17 July, when agency inspectors were at (Natanz), Iran was feeding nuclear material to the two interconnected 164-machine centrifuge cascades.”

Mehmanparast said, “20 percent uranium enrichment is regarded as a peaceful nuclear activity and is considered a legitimate right of all countries committed to the IAEA.”

MKO members will be extradited

Commenting on the issue of over 100 members of the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) who have taken refuge in Iraq, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said their documents have been handed to the Interpol.

“We are seeking to get members of this terrorist group through Interpol,” he added.