US says cannot confirm Iran's enrichment claim

WASHINGTON, Apr 11 (Reuters) The United States today said it could not confirm Iran's claim it had enriched uranium to a level used in nuclear power plants.

''At this point, I can't confirm any of the technical details.

There is a lot that goes into a technical assessment of where the Iranians might be in their capability in operating a centrifuge cascade, whether it be a small one or a large one ... I couldn't offer an assessment for you as to where they stand in that process,'' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a news briefing.

Iran's announcement that it had succeeded in enriching uranium to a level used in nuclear power plants added fresh tensions to its confrontation with the West, which accuses Tehran of developing nuclear weapons.

Iran insists it is only interested in producing energy.

Earlier, the White House warned that Iran's latest declared nuclear advance could accelerate international pressures on Tehran but experts said much depends on whether the claims prove true and whether Russia and China see the same threat Washington does.

REUTERS DH BD0105