Iran orders activation of “advanced” centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution

TEHRAN, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) — Iran on Friday announced the activation of a “substantial” number of new “advanced” centrifuges in response to an “unjustifiable” resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced the decision in a joint statement, while condemning the resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday, which orders the country to urgently improve cooperation with the agency and requests a “comprehensive” report aimed at pressuring Iran into fresh nuclear talks.
The statement said the IAEA’s board passed the resolution against Iran’s “peaceful” nuclear program under the “pressure and insistence” of France, Britain, Germany and the United States.
These countries submitted the resolution against Iran in a “confrontational and unjustifiable” move instead of contributing to the continuation of the “constructive atmosphere” created between Tehran and the IAEA, it added, describing these countries’ approach as “politicized and unrealistic.”
The activation of the new centrifuges were implemented in line with protecting Iran’s interests and further developing its “peaceful” nuclear industry in proportion to the growing national needs and within the framework of the country’s rights and obligations under the comprehensive safeguards agreement, the statement added.
The statement assured that Iran’s “technical and safeguards cooperation” with the UN agency would continue as in the past and within the framework of the safeguards agreement.
The IAEA Board of Governors consists of 35 member states. China, Russia, and Burkina Faso voted against the resolution, which garnered 19 votes in favor. Additionally, 12 countries abstained from voting, and one country did not vote. ■