BIRJAND, Iran, Nov. 7, 2007

New Nuclear Claim By Iran

Iranian President Says Nation Has 3,000 Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges

  • Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, seen here in Tehran in September, after attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. Photo

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, seen here in Tehran in September, after attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.  (AP)

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(AP)  Iran has achieved a landmark with 3,000 centrifuges fully working in its controversial uranium enrichment program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday.

Ahmadinejad has in the past claimed Iran succeeded in installing the 3,000 centrifuges at its uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Wednesday's claim was his first official statement that the plant is now fully operating the 3,000 centrifuges.

"We have now reached 3,000 machines," Ahmadinejad told thousands of Iranians in Birjand in eastern Iran, in a show of defiance of international demands to halt the program believed to be masking the country's nuclear arms efforts.

Centrifuges are used in enriching uranium, a process that can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or material for a warhead.

The U.S. and allies accuse Iran of using a civilian power program as cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge and insists it needs the technology to generate power.

Iran is on the agenda Wednesday for French President Nicolas Sarkozy and President Bush, as Sarkozy visits Washington and addresses Congress.

Ahmadinejad meanwhile is getting publicity from an unusual source: GOP presidential candidate John McCain.

On the campaign trail in Iowa, the senator from Arizona has been toting around giant photos of Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reminders to voters that the U.S. must push for energy independence.

During a campaign stop on Monday in Iowa Falls, after visiting a biodiesel plant in Ames, McCain propped up the photos on an easel as he spoke to a crowd gathered at a restaurant.

"Here we have two charming individuals, I'm sure you're seen their pictures before," he said of a photo featuring the Venezuelan and Iranian leaders embracing. Then turning to the one of Putin, he said: "And we have another one over here, who as you know, is the president of Russia. He is now more the dictator of Russia than he is the president."

McCain says the photos of the three leaders - who control a large portion of the world's oil supply - are meant to underscore the fragility of U.S. independence on foreign oil and how important it is for the U.S. to achieve energy independence.

© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Add a Comment See all 42 Comments
by ontheleft November 7, 2007 5:02 AM PST
Mr. Bush is going to take military action against Iran before the end of his term. I''ll let you ponder the ramifications of that.
Reply to this comment
by oeangus November 7, 2007 5:16 AM PST
Ahmadinejad is nuts. Guess he wants the equally nutty Bush to send a few missiles his way for whatever nutty reason... which is starting to look like it will in fact happen. INSANE.
Reply to this comment
by tbweb November 7, 2007 5:23 AM PST
The "in your face arrogance" of Iran''s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejihad knows no bounds. Despite the Worlds concerns over Iran''s enrichment of uranium and subversive aggression against Israel, he continues to flaunt Iran''s nuclear program, not even remotely concerned about anyone or any nation except himself and Iran!

Bahrain''s Crown Prince, Sheik Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, said Friday that Iran is striving to acquire nuclear weaponry, Israel Radio reported. Technicians work at the reactor building of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, some 750 miles south of Teheran. Al Khalifa said that at the very least, Iran is attempting to gain the ability to produce nuclear weaponry. The statement would make Bahrain the first Arab nation in the Persian Gulf to claim that Iran is attempting to deceive world leaders in relation to its nuclear aspirations. Al Khalifa warned that the crisis could worsen and draw the region into military conflict.
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by lorrieann51 November 7, 2007 6:58 AM PST
The ramifications -- He will declare a State of Emergency in October, 2008 and declare that the 2008 elections will have to be postponed until he feels it is clear to have them. Oh, yeah, with his executive order back in May, he will also say that he does not need the Congress or Judicial System but will run the country himself. Watch out.....
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by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 7:59 AM PST
frankly I would be more concerned with a bioengineered germ weapon than nuclear,these guys have figured out the obvious, why destroy buildings and nations when you can eradicate the populace with a controlled germ agent and keep the wealth intact?
Reply to this comment
by usayesterday November 7, 2007 8:02 AM PST
The ramifications -- He will declare a State of Emergency in October, 2008 and declare that the 2008 elections will have to be postponed until he feels it is clear to have them. Oh, yeah, with his executive order back in May, he will also say that he does not need the Congress or Judicial System but will run the country himself. Watch out.....

Posted by lorrieann51 at 06:58 AM : Nov 07, 2007
..............

That''s NSPD #51

National Security PRESIDENTIAL Directive # 51

Read it, and be afraid...

...for our Constitution

...for our freedoms

...for the future of the United States.
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 November 7, 2007 8:06 AM PST
Mr. Bush is going to take military action against Iran before the end of his term. I''''ll let you ponder the ramifications of that.

Posted by ontheleft at 05:02 AM : Nov 07, 2007

It would be the end of this country because America is up to here with this mans antics.
Reply to this comment
by twood001 November 7, 2007 8:12 AM PST
Who is monitoring the US nuclear program? Isn''t the pot calling the kettle black? Iran''s weapons will not effect or reach the US. They are a soveriegn nation state. We can''t lauch pre-emptive strikes on folks just because we don''t like their policies. Besides we are too broke to start another war. China is not lending us any more money and th dollar is getting worthless by the day. We need to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and democracy for all citizens (against racism, privacy violations, Big-brother, etc). Time to focus on Domestic Policy and let the world police themselves.
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by rowdytexan2 November 7, 2007 8:12 AM PST
Here we go! Mr. Bush''s arab buddies are jumping on the band wagon.

They''ll have that pipeline across the middle east pumping stolen oil to tankers headed for the US oil companies before the end of 2010.

And you fools think these philanthropic oil companies are going to sell you gas again for $1.50 a gallon.
Then you can add the price of every sacrificed US soldier to your oil bill. Plus the sacrificed citizens of these countries that died because of it.

I don''t understand how the idiots that voted in these crooked bustwards can sleep at night.
Reply to this comment
by cnjcc November 7, 2007 8:13 AM PST
Does anyone wonder why Iran keeps on making their own voluntary announcements of progress with their nuclear activities? The only reasons I can think of are to appeal to national pride to distract their citizens who are becoming increasingly disenchanted with Amhadinejad''s taunting of the West, and to distract them from their troubled economy, as well as goad the West into military action which they hope will further distract their countrymen, and help unite all Muslims and Arabs in their radical extremist goal of a Muslim dominated world order.
Reply to this comment
by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 8:16 AM PST
sleeping with the enemy.thats a bad combination..
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 7, 2007 8:43 AM PST
And you fools think these philanthropic oil companies are going to sell you gas again for $1.50 a gallon.
Then you can add the price of every sacrificed US soldier to your oil bill. Plus the sacrificed citizens of these countries that died because of it.

I don''''t understand how the idiots that voted in these crooked bustwards can sleep at night.

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 08:12 AM : Nov 07, 2007
Reply to this comment
by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 8:43 AM PST
so much for the Robin Hood,attitude,Steal from the rich to give to the poor...
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 7, 2007 8:44 AM PST
And you fools think these philanthropic oil companies are going to sell you gas again for $1.50 a gallon.
Then you can add the price of every sacrificed US soldier to your oil bill. Plus the sacrificed citizens of these countries that died because of it.

I don''''t understand how the idiots that voted in these crooked bustwards can sleep at night.

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 08:12 AM : Nov 07, 2007

So when are you going to start riding your horse to work in lieu just throwing all of that horse s**t around?
Reply to this comment
by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 8:47 AM PST
whats the bigger waste? spending 2 million making a bomb or wasting 2 million not using it?
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 7, 2007 8:50 AM PST
Does anyone wonder why Iran keeps on making their own voluntary announcements of progress with their nuclear activities? The only reasons I can think of are to appeal to national pride to distract their citizens who are becoming increasingly disenchanted with Amhadinejad''''s taunting of the West, and to distract them from their troubled economy, as well as goad the West into military action which they hope will further distract their countrymen, and help unite all Muslims and Arabs in their radical extremist goal of a Muslim dominated world order.

Posted by cbsn9000 at 08:13 AM : Nov 07, 2007

Iran''s first goal with an A-Bomb is to detonate one in Israel, so said Rafsenjani the former, moderate, leader of Iran. Mr Abracadabra replaced him, does that tell you where Iran is headed presently.
Mr Abracadabra believes that no one is going to do anything, he looks at what is going on in the US. I think he believes he has a lot of people pulling for him over here in government by what is in the main stream news.
Reply to this comment
by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 8:51 AM PST
Mr Bush painted a pretty pic, now he just needs to frame it..
Reply to this comment
by chad55555 November 7, 2007 8:54 AM PST
Please don''t forget Russia and China built and gave the information to Iran. Our leaders are so blind to what Russia and China does and can''t see they are setting USA up for destruction.I know it sounds far out but check it out.Good example is look who we send to talk peace for us,.we have to start taking this RUSSIA ,CHINA AND MIDDLE EAST ISSUE MORE SERIOUS.They know our military weakness now because of Iraq. WAKE UP.
Reply to this comment
by fitedafuture November 7, 2007 8:55 AM PST
a tightrope dance now rather than a walk..
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 7, 2007 9:01 AM PST
Please don''''t forget Russia and China built and gave the information to Iran. Our leaders are so blind to what Russia and China does and can''''t see they are setting USA up for destruction.I know it sounds far out but check it out.Good example is look who we send to talk peace for us,.we have to start taking this RUSSIA ,CHINA AND MIDDLE EAST ISSUE MORE SERIOUS.They know our military weakness now because of Iraq. WAKE UP.

Posted by chad55555 at 08:54 AM : Nov 07, 2007

Russia''s and China''s immediate goal is to perpetuate talks while Iran makes a bomb. China got a real scare when th eUS military demolished the Iraq military in just a few days. Russia is bewildered that the US hasn''t had done to it in Iraq and Afghanistan what was done to the Soviet Military in Afghanistan
They, Russia and China, are trying to bring the US down as the free worlds leader, and getting lots of help from a plitical party in US to do this.
Reply to this comment
by downtowner97 November 7, 2007 9:02 AM PST
Iran has the right idea. If you have nukes, you get left alone. Pakistan has proven this. The US would have gone from Afghanistan into Pakistan had it not been for Pakistan''s nukes.
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by barbaraf4 November 7, 2007 9:06 AM PST
I wish Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would quit yanking Bush''s chain. This sort of stuff makes him nuts - afterall, war is Bush''s Viagra.
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 7, 2007 9:18 AM PST
wish Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would quit yanking Bush''''s chain. This sort of stuff makes him nuts - afterall, war is Bush''''s Viagra.
Posted by barbaraf4 at 09:06 AM : Nov 07, 2007

Clinton was the viagra man.
Reply to this comment
by rokero69 November 7, 2007 9:24 AM PST
If i were a Country and BUSH-IT Was Constantly
complaining about this or that and hurling insults,
id want a bomb too and Quickly...
Doesnt Iran Have a Right to defend its citizens from
Blood thirsty Republicans?
Reply to this comment
by neoconrcrazy November 7, 2007 9:54 AM PST
Iran has a right to nuclear technology - let''s stop beating the same war drums i.e. iraq and joining the Lieberman & israel lobby war chorus line.

We''ve already gone down that road - it leads nowhere.


Reply to this comment
by v_1618 November 7, 2007 9:55 AM PST
I HOPE IRAN NUKE THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 November 7, 2007 9:56 AM PST
Wait till the IAEA reports. Ahmadinejad has a tendacy to make exaggerated claims on just about everything.
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968 November 7, 2007 10:04 AM PST
Noone wants a war. But we better send a few fighter jets to blow the s#it out of these nuke sites before it''''s too late.

Posted by superchez1 at 09:47 AM : Nov 07, 2007



Correction - Bush and Cheney LOVE war. They can''t get enough of it - that''s why Cheney is now beating the war drums regarding Iran.
Reply to this comment
by lochlan-2009 November 7, 2007 10:38 AM PST
Not one mention of who sold the centrifuges to Iran. Not one poster here seems to know either.

For those who sant to know, do a search; Haliburton, centifruges, Iran. You''ll find your answer.
Reply to this comment
by mbcsmith November 7, 2007 10:47 AM PST
The new successes in our missile defense system will be the nail in Iran''s coffin.
Reply to this comment
by lochlan-2009 November 7, 2007 10:58 AM PST
The centrifuges were sold to Iran by Halliburton, people, along with other nuclear power plant equipment.
Reply to this comment
by cdfoxtrot November 7, 2007 11:11 AM PST
Are these guys the dumbest people on the planet??? Why do they make these kinds of announcements. If they''re false bravado, they might just cause them to get attacked for no reason. If they''re true, wouldn''t it be smarter to just quietly develop their program -- whatever it is -- and only announce things when it''s all done. They oughta take a leaf from the Israelis book on this. The Israelis have had nuclear weapons since as long ago as the late 1960s, but have never announced it. And they were never dumb enough to announce milestones along the way.

Reply to this comment
by lochlan-2009 November 7, 2007 11:23 AM PST
Haliburton is still in Iran doing gas drilling for their government under Iranian contracts. U.S. citizens are being played for fools. Every time the price of oil goes up $1/barrel Iran makes an additional $900 million in oil revenue. Oil is almost at $100 a barrel. Haliburton, through their susidiary in the Caymans, sold the centriguges to Iran that started their nuclear program, and have been selling detonators and other nuclear equipment as recently as 2005.
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by terrorislam4 November 7, 2007 12:59 PM PST
FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM STILL PRACTICES SLAVERY

NRI couple charged with slavery
Varsha Mahender Sabhnani, 35, and her husband Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani, 51.
The women, identified as Nona and Samirah, said they were expected to hide when someone came to the house. They were forced to work for long hours, made to sleep on mats in the kitchen and Sabhnani also allegedly made remarks derogatory to their religion -- Islam.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/may/24nri.htm
LI housekeepers held as slaves, tortured
Among other fragrances, he sells a popular perfume called Royal Mirage through several corporations, including PVM International
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-bzslav0516,0,1513272.story
NRI Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani popular perfume owner, charged for keeping servants as prisoners
NRI Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani have a perfume business and operate from their 2.5 multimillion dollar home. He owns a trademarked popular perfume named "Royal Mirage", which he sells through several corporations, including Royal Mirage Corp., RTD International, Eternal Love Perfumes Corp., PVM International Corp., and Meena Arjan Corp.
http://www.nriinternet.com/NRI_Discrimination/USA/2007/Mahender_%20Sabhnani/index.htm
Modern day slavery scandal rocks New York
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/modern-day-slavery-scandal-rocks-new-york/2007/05/24/1179601521848.html
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 November 7, 2007 7:15 PM PST
Posted by sunsetbillyb at 12:35 PM : Nov 07, 2007


With respect, your are wrong. Ahmadamnutjob is only a figurehead, The Clerics have him by the family jewels and he is only there to focus attention away from what is really going on. (There are no winners in a nooklar war)
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 7, 2007 8:59 PM PST
I STAND WITH THE DANES

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM IS
Persona non grata

Exclusive: Salute the Danish Flag! - It%u2019s a Symbol of Western Freedom By Susan MacAllen
In Denmark, once-liberal immigration policies have forced huge governmental change and zero tolerance for Muslim immigrants intent on turning Denmark into an Islamic welfare haven. FSM Contributing Editor Susan MacAllen reveals a shocking reaction there and lessons America must learn.
http://familysecuritymatters.org/homeland.php?id=1172085
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by topprophet November 8, 2007 12:04 AM PST
I support Ron Paul and his non-interventionist foreign policy. Hitlery wants to continue our illegal police action in Iraq until at least 2013, and she does not rule out a preemptive (nuclear) first strike against Iran. Ron Paul voted against our (undeclared) war in Iraq, which was sold to us with lies. The area is more dangerous now than when we entered it. We destroyed a regime hated by our direct enemies--the jihadists, and created thousands of new recruits for them. The war in Iraq has cost more than 3,400 American lives and almost a trillion dollars. We need a leader in the White House who will ensure this never happens again. Both Jefferson and Washington warned us about entangling ourselves in the affairs of other nations. Today, we have 750 foreign bases and troops in 130 countries. We are spread so thin that we have too few troops defending America. And now, there are new calls for a draft. We can continue to fund and fight no-win police actions around the globe, or we can refocus on securing our borders against illegal aliens who are invading our country from the South. No war should ever be fought without a Declaration of War voted upon by the Congress, as required by The Constitution. Under no circumstances should the U.S. again go to war as the result of a resolution that comes from an unelected, foreign body, such as the United Nations. Too often, we give foreign aid and intervene on behalf of governments that are despised. Then, we too become despised.
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by terrorislam4 November 8, 2007 1:12 AM PST
I THOUGHT YOU SAID KIDS ARE CIVILIANS

MI5 Says Kids Groomed for Terror Attacks
Extremists are grooming children and teenagers to plot terrorist attacks against Britain, the director of the domestic spy agency said Monday.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/11/05/1074548-mi5-says-kids-groomed-for-terror-attacks
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRITAIN_SPY_CHIEF?SITE=WIFON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/britain_spy_chief
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/05/ap/europe/main3453066.shtml
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2007/11/05/4632535-ap.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,308216,00.html
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 8, 2007 1:13 AM PST
BE AFRAID,,, BE VERY AFRAID,,,
PICTURE FASCIST NAZI GERMANY WITH NUKES,,,

WAKE UP! The Crisis in Pakistan Is Much More Dangerous Than You Think
Musharraf''''s Emergency Crackdown Is Anathema to Everyone Who Cherishes Human Rights and Democracy. But His Grip on Power Is Slipping Just as Islamic Extremists Are Escalating Their Bloody Insurgency. If They Succeed in Overthrowing Musharraf and Seizing Power, al-Qaida Will Gain Access to Pakistan''''s Nuclear Weapons.
http://www.skeeterbitesreport.com/2007/11/wake-up-crisis-in-pakistan-is-much-more.html
Reply to this comment
by tbweb November 8, 2007 7:10 AM PST
Iran is now the aggressor nation! Iran attempts to keep its hands clean supporting subversive terrorist groups and activities against Israel via Hezzbollah and Hamas, in addition to supplying terrorist in Iraq and now Afghanistan all the while trying to acquire a nuclear capability, maybe not to use nukes, but to use them as a shield to prevent opposition and attack to further and expand its terrorist agenda!
Reply to this comment
by terrorislam4 November 8, 2007 12:19 PM PST
LOOK WHO LOVES AMERICA

BUT THE IDIOT STINKING SILLY LITTLE LIBERAL SOCIALIST/COMMUNIST DEMONIC-RATS STILL DO NOT

SO WHAT COUNTRY WILL THEY GO TO NOW HAHAHA

''We love America,'' Sarkozy tells Congress
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071107171938.06pkhw1y&show_article=1&lst=1
Sarkozy hails ''strong'' France-US friendship
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071107170044.ctsk1ycd&show_article=1&lst=1
Sarkozy Throws Open His Arms to Bush, and U.S.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/world/europe/07france.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Reply to this comment
by tbweb November 9, 2007 7:18 AM PST
Iran continues to go against conventional wisdom and swims against the World Wide nuclear tide! At a time when the World is trying to power down from a potentially dangerous nuclear holocaust which also includes North Korea, Iran is rushing towards it! Many nations are on the path to denuclearizing and are exploring safer nuclear technology, but not radical Iran! Iran has more than enough money and wealth to afford a safer nuclear technology, there is no reason or excuse to use enriched uranium other than to produce nuclear weapons.
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