Defiant Iran to continue enrichment

New Delhi: A defiant Iran has announced that it is ready to start Uranium enrichment on an industrial scale. The announcement comes in the face of stiff opposition by the US.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is also expected to announce the start of operations of 3,000 centrifuges which will allow the country to reach that industrial scale.

The United Nations had passed a second round of sanctions against Iran in late March, but the country says exploring nuclear technology is its right.

The US on its part has accused Iran of using the technology to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran reacted angrily to the Security Council's decision to tighten sanctions against it, but wasn't able to stop a unanimous vote in the Security Council that passed a second round of sanctions.

"All the nuclear activities of Iran have been inspected by the IAEA. it is clear that many big powers do not want us to enjoy this right," said Ahmedinejad.

The new resolution will enforce a freeze on all Iranian arms exports, block the overseas accounts of Iranian officials involved in the country's nuclear programme and also put a travel ban on many of them.

Iran's foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki called the sanctions unlawful and unjustifiable, but while offering talks, the Security Council said it was time for Iran to make a choice.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted in favour of new sanctions against Iran.

• The sanctions block Iranian arms exports and freeze the assets of individuals and companies involved in Iran's atomic programmes.
• The resolution also calls for a travel embargo on Iranian officials. Resolution 1747 co-sponsored by Britain, France and Germany broadens further the UN sanctions imposed on Iran in December last year.
• The UN says by approving the resolution it has sent an 'un-ambiguous signal' to Iran. But Tehran maintains its programme is for civilian use including production of power.
• The Foreign Minister of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki has said the permanent members have manipulated the Security Council into supporting the second round of sanctions.