Diplomats: Iran prepared to up nuclear program

AP: Diplomats tell The Associated Press that Iran plans to vastly increase the speed of its uranium enrichment program, which can make both reactor fuel and the core of nuclear warheads. The Associated Press

By By GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — Diplomats tell The Associated Press that Iran plans to vastly increase the speed of its uranium enrichment program, which can make both reactor fuel and the core of nuclear warheads.

The diplomats say Iran has told the International Atomic Energy Agency that it wants to install thousands of high-technology machines at its main enriching site at Natanz, in central Iran. The machines can enrich two or three times faster than the present equipment being used by Tehran.

Iran denies any interest in nuclear weapons. It says it is enriching only to power reactors and for scientific and medical purposes.

The diplomats demanded anonymity because they are not allowed to divulge confidential information.