Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 13 /Trend/
Statements by a U.S. State Department's spokeswoman, who urges after launching the Bushehr nuclear power plant (NPP) Iran does not need to enrich uranium in its territory, demonstrates their unawareness of the nuclear processes, ISNA quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast.
Any nuclear power plant requires nuclear fuel to operate, which means the enrichment of uranium is of vital importance, Mehmanaparast added. He was commenting on the U.S. State Department spokeswoman's statements.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday the fact that Iran's first nuclear power plant is now onstream is proof that the Islamic republic does not need the ability to conduct uranium enrichment, AFP reported.
"We would note that Russia's agreement with Iran on Bushehr provides that Russia will provide the fuel for Bushehr and will take back the spent fuel," Nuland said.
A pre-launch ceremony of the Bushehr NPP was officially held in Iran Monday.
Bushehr NPP has been connected to Iran's electricity network on Sept. 4 and has supplied about 60 megawatt of electricity to the country's electric network since its connection to the grid.
In November 2009, Iran announced plans to build ten facilities to enrich uranium in its territory.
Enriched uranium is used both to produce nuclear weapons and as fuel for nuclear power plants. The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity and producing isotopes to treat medical patients.