Members of an Iranian opposition group alleged Wednesday that Iran's government is building at least two secret sites to support its nuclear weapons program.
Citing sources inside the Iranian government, officials with the National Council of Resistance of Iran said the sites are a nuclear fuel production plant and research lab at Natanz and a heavy water production plant at Arak. Both sites are in central Iran south of the capital of Tehran.
"These two nuclear sites have been kept secret until now," said Alireza Jafarzadeh, the representative of the organization in the United States, said during a press conference. Both sites are close to completion, Jafarzadeh aired. Heavy water from at the Arak plant could be used to support reactors capable of producing material for nuclear weapons, he added.
Earlier this year, CIA head, George J. Tenet said U.S. intelligence is worried countries like Iran may make "sudden leaps" in their nuclear programs.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government Wednesday said American statesmen are wise enough not to think about attacking Iran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Government spokesman, Abdullah Ramezanzadeh was quoted as saying Iran is prepared to defend its territory, while stressing Iran is "notafter war and will not take part in any coalition for war." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
