Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says the Islamic Republic is developing a new generation of centrifuges, PressTV reported.
On Thursday, the Iranian nuclear chief said there are currently 19,000 centrifuges in the country, adding that "a new generation of centrifuges is being built, but they should undergo all tests before mass production."
Salehi further underlined Iran's great achievements in its nuclear energy program, saying, "In the area of fuel cycle, the Islamic Republic...is among the countries that are capable of carrying out all fuel [production] stages from exploration to ore dressing and production of uranium fuel."
On December 7, AEOI Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the organization has provided the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with information about Iran's new generation of centrifuges, which has more capacity compared to the first and second generations.
Kamalvandi said the new generation was produced in line with the AEOI policy to enhance enrichment machinery and increase production capacity.
The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but has never found any evidence showing that Iran's nuclear program has been diverted to non-civilian purposes as some Western countries allege.