Report: Iran begins uranium enrichment

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible airstrikes, a leading hardline newspaper reported Sunday in another show of defiance against Western pressure to rein in Tehran's nuclear program.

Another newspaper quoted a senior commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard force as saying Tehran's leadership has decided to order the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic oil route, if the country's petroleum exports are blocked. Revolutionary Guard ground forces also staged war games in eastern Iran in an apparent display of resolve against U.S. forces just over the border in Afghanistan.

"The supreme authorities ... have insisted that if enemies block the export of our oil, we won't allow a drop of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the strategy of the Islamic Republic in countering such threats," Revolutionary Guard deputy commander Ali Ashraf Nouri was quoted as saying by the Khorasan daily.

Iranian politicians have issued similar threats in the past, but this is the strongest statement yet by a top commander in the security establishment.

The latest statements are certain to fuel tensions with the U.S. and its allies, which are trying to turn up pressure on Iran with new sanctions to punish it over its disputed nuclear program. The West suspects Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons, but Iran denies this.

The United Nations has already sanctioned Iran for refusing to stop uranium enrichment — which can produce both nuclear fuel and fissile warhead material. Tehran says its nuclear program is only for energy and medical research, and refuses to halt uranium enrichment.

Kayhan daily, which is close to Iran's ruling clerics, said Tehran has begun injecting uranium gas into sophisticated centrifuges at the Fordo facility near the holy city of Qom.

"Kayhan received reports yesterday that show Iran has begun uranium enrichment at the Fordo facility amid heightened foreign enemy threats," the paper said in a front-page report. Kayhan's manager is a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final word on all important matters of state.

Iran's nuclear chief, Fereidoun Abbasi, said late Saturday that his country will "soon" begin enrichment at Fordo. It was impossible to immediately reconcile the two reports.

Iran has a major uranium enrichment facility in Natanz in central Iran, where nearly 8,000 centrifuges are operating. Tehran began enrichment at Natanz in April 2006.

The Fordo centrifuges, however, are reportedly more efficient. And the site better shielded from aerial attack.

Nouri said Iran's leadership has made a strategic decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, should the country's exports be blocked. One-sixth of the world's oil flows to market through the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

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[slownewsday2012]

by earth5645

Stop aid to Israel ?


====

Sure - why not? They have never acted as our ally. I say we cut off all aid to the Middle East.

Let them all blow each other up. Israel has more than enough nukes to defend itself, just as long as we don't support their actions.

[earth5645]

slowpoke,

Considering where your from and the constant BS you dump on CBS it's no surprise that you claim Israel in=s not an ally.

What have your Arab friends done for America other than sell oil to the world and depended on American soldiers to defend them ?


Israel has never once asked others to fight for her survival even though outnumbered 500-1.

Israel has given back in technological and medical advances for free.

Have a good time with Sarge at 2 flags.

[apologies_tx2]

Its easier said than done, most comments here are based on emotions and recklessly ignore the fact than Iran's military is so powerful that nothing short of a full blown nuclear war can stop them from either building nukes or closing the strait of Hormuz. 65 stealthy attack submarines and 220 warships equipped with carrier killer missiles, 10s of thousands of ballistic missiles and a credible air defence is just a few to name. sure America's military is mighty, that's why a war between Iran an US military will definitely trigger WW3, that's catastrophic news for ordinary people like me and you who want to prosper and enjoy life. for the love of god stop being so stupid by asking for ww3!

[earth5645]

Oh..its Space Dummy who's lacking oxygen posting 24/7 because he's paid by his favorite sheik.

[Lerianis4]

And again: BIG BLEEPING DEAL! I'm not really 'scared' of Iran getting nuclear weapons considering that this same 'end of the world' bunkus was said when:

1. China got nukes.
2. North Korea got nukes.
3. India and Pakistan got nukes.
4. Russia got nukes.

Need I keep on going? Time to stop with this chicken little bunkus.

[seeker2000]

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

- Hermann Goering

[earth5645]

now we have neo-historians quoting from the land of Joseph Goebels and the Nazis.

thanks Chucky

[seeker2000]

@ earth5645

Just keep it in mind

[fedup12]

If we attack Iran we better be prepared for a 10-15 year war. All im saying.

And they better raise taxes to pay for it. They need to pay for the Iraq one that they put on the credit card. (First thing I would do is stop foreign aid to Israel if we have to go in and do their heavy lifting all the time. Thats why we bought them a fantastic military)

This had better not be BS again.

[earth5645]

fudup,

Stop aid to Israel ? what...the 3 billion ?

What about the 2 billion to your pals in Egypt or 1.8 in Jordan or the 6 billion to protect the gulf states ?

Why no mention of those countrys ? What about Taiwan ?

Israel bought their military which is why they spend 20% of their GDP which is the highest in the world.

Get your facts striaght before spouting your obvious hatred towards Israel.

Otherwise, thanks again Dumbo for another idiotic blurb from the peanut in your head.

[fedup12]

all of em. I dont care... if we have to borrow it we shouldnt be giving it to other countries corrupt politicians.

the corrupt ones here have an easy enough time screwing up what to do with our money...

America First!!!

I pick on Israel because they are #1 in foreign aid. And they get a heckuva lot more that 3 bills if you add in the military aid.


If we have to borrow it we shouldnt be giving it away.

[omerguy40]

KEEP POKING THE BEAR....We Americans have to "DICTATE" to every ucking country how to live. We keep poking and poking until the bear gets angry and bites us in the arse....QUIT POKING THE BEARS.......

[earth5645]

What Bear ?

Did your history start post 9/11 ?

The Bear was Britain prior to WW2 and afterwards the USA took over because of WW2.

Are you refering to Guatamala ?

[venusvegasvada]

Great! Bring it!

[magnumdr]

Stop buying any oil from these Countries, and maybe the price will drop. These people are insane and cannot be trusted as far as you can see them. Force them into bankruptcy.

[sociallyjust]

To nikos_retsos:

You do a great disservice to all of us, by your deliberate whitewashing of an extremely dangerously-religious Iranian regime, which is disrespectful of all who are not Muslims.

The current Iranian regime uses deception, stalling for time regarding its nuclear weapons program, and among other problematic troublemaking, supports murderers in the name of Allah and Iranian version of strict Sharia Law around the whole world.

It it suggested that you take your slanted opinions, your misleading, malevolent comments, and preach the same to the suppressed and abused women in Iran who will neither like you nor your false propaganda.

[earth5645]

Space_Chuck11...,

If Nikos is truth than the world must really be flat according to your beliefs.

[Samlv]

Memo to Iran: Remember the last computer virus that stopped you? Remember that drone? Do you remember Israel bombing other nuclear facilities?

Iran cannot even rescue sailors from pirates.

Maybe the next computer virus needs to close their telecomm systems so we just don't have to listen to bull anymore.

[Lerianis4]

Remember that Iran could probably do all those things to us..... PANIC! It wouldn't be that hard.... they could just make a deal with or sneak someone into the China hard drive plants to install a virus on every machine going out, then send a 'kill' signal a few months or years later.