Iran defies West

VIENNA, Austria – Iran is once again building centrifuges that can be used to make nuclear weaponry, breaking the UN nuclear watchdog agency’s seals on the equipment in a show of defiance against international efforts to monitor its program, diplomats said.

Iran has not restarted enriching uranium with the centrifuges – a step that would raise further alarm. But the resumption of centrifuge construction is likely to push European nations, which have been seeking a negotiated resolution, closer to the United States’ more confrontational stance.The United States accuses Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and wants the UN Security Council to take up the issue.Iran denies the charge and says the centrifuges are part of a nuclear program aimed only at producing energy.Under international pressure last year, the Islamic republic agreed to stop enriching uranium and stop making centrifuges, in a deal reached with Britain, France and Germany.- Nampa-APBut the resumption of centrifuge construction is likely to push European nations, which have been seeking a negotiated resolution, closer to the United States’ more confrontational stance.The United States accuses Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and wants the UN Security Council to take up the issue.Iran denies the charge and says the centrifuges are part of a nuclear program aimed only at producing energy.Under international pressure last year, the Islamic republic agreed to stop enriching uranium and stop making centrifuges, in a deal reached with Britain, France and Germany.- Nampa-AP