US voices concern over Iranian P-2 centrifuge claims

Washington, Apr 18 (UNI) The United States has expressed serious concern over the Iranian Government claims that the Islamic nation was developing an advanced method to make nuclear fuel.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said ''undisclosed work on P-2 centrifuges would be a further violation of Iran's safeguard obligations'', in response to Iranian claims that it is conducting research on the centrifuges in order to enrich uranium quickly.

''Such violations and failures by the regime to comply with its international obligations run contrary to the regime's claims that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes,'' he said yesterday.

McClellan said the United Nations Security Council has called on Iran to comply with its nuclear safeguard obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency.

If the Iranian government does not comply, ''it is time for further action by the Security Council,'' the spokesman said.

''This is a regime that is only further isolating itself by its recent announcements and its continuing behaviour. And it's time to address this matter at the Security Council if they're going to continue on that course,'' McClellan added.

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