The British government Monday described the latest statements from Iran on its nuclear programme as "deeply worrying" while urging Tehran to abandon "contradictory rhetoric" and engage in negotiations, dpa reported.
In a statement, the Foreign Office refrained from calling for fresh sanctions against Iran. It instead adopted the view held by numerous nuclear experts that Iran currently does not have the technology to turn its low-grade uranium into fuel elements.
"Contrary to Iranian assertions, this enriched uranium could not be used for the Tehran Research Reactor as Iran does not have the technology to manufacture it into fuel rods," the statement said.
"Instead, enriching to 20 per cent would just add to the catalogue of concerns about a nuclear programme with no civilian application, in a country building nuclear facilities in secret and refusing to answer IAEA questions about weapons related activity," it added.
The Foreign Office also made a point of referring to last week's announcement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmed Ahmadinejad that Iran might be ready to accept a deal proposed by the IAEA last October to send fuel abroad for enrichment.
"A few days later he has rejected that proposal and ordered that Iran increase its enrichment to 20 per cent from tomorrow," it said.
"It is time for Iran to move away from contradictory rhetoric and to start engaging with the IAEA and the international community. Iran needs to address the legitimate concerns about its programme and to start restoring trust in its intentions."
