Iran issues warning on uranium enrichment

CNN.COM ^ | 5 March 2006 | CNN

[MikefromOhio]

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran will resume large-scale nuclear enrichment if the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors refers the Islamic Republic to the U.N. Security Council, the country's chief nuclear negotiator said Sunday.

Ali Larijani also warned that Iran could use its oil production "as a weapon" if the nuclear imbroglio worsens.

The IAEA board of governors meets Monday, and it is expected to refer the matter to the Security Council.

"Referral to the Security Council will not have any benefit for us or anyone else," said Larijani.

"And this will actually cause a lot of problems for others. Referral to Security Council would definitely be a setback to the discussion and the talks. To have a nuclear program, this is our God-given right, and no country will give up such a right. We have left all the doors open for discussion."

"We will definitely resume our enrichment and if Iran is referred to the Security Council."

[justinellis329]

To be fair, they're only running 20-30 centrifuges. With Iran's level of technology, it'll take them about 1500 centrifuges running for one year to get enough HEU for one crude atomic bomb.