Iranian officials have said enriched uranium reportedly found in environmental sampling by U.N. officials is a result of contamination and not illicit enrichment, Reuters reported today (see GSN, July 18).

After publicly denying the first reports of the enriched uranium discovery, Iranian officials have since told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the enriched uranium particles found at the Natanz centrifuge enrichment facility must have already been in equipment when it was imported, according to diplomats.

Iran is suspected of having tested its uranium enrichment centrifuges without notifying the IAEA, but Iranian officials have denied any such activity.

Diplomats said the Iranian explanation was possible, but they want the International Atomic Energy Agency to fully investigate the issue.

“We can’t be satisfied with excuses,” a Western diplomat said.  “We don’t expect the case to be closed at this point.  The pressure must continue on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA,” the diplomat added (Reuters/Jordan Times, Aug. 18).

Iranian officials are beginning initial studies for a third nuclear reactor with a 5,000-megawatt capacity, the Associated Press reported.  Iran and Russia are currently building a reactor at Bushehr, and Iranian leaders recently approved a second, 1,000-megawatt reactor (see GSN, Aug. 14; Associated Press/Yahoo!News, Aug. 14).

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