Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 19 /Trend/
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu accused Iran of "denial, deceit and evasion" in refusing to open its nuclear program to increased outside overview, The Associated Press reported.
Chu further said Tehran's recent decision to expand uranium enrichment and move enrichment facilities into an underground bunker brings it closer to the ability to produce the fissile core of nuclear warheads.
Chu spoke Monday at the opening session of the 151-nation general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In June, the Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Fereidoun Abbasi-Davani announced that Iran is going to install 164-centrifuge cascades of new generation machines soon and to triple the production of 20-percent enriched uranium.
He added the centrifuges would be installed both in Fordo and Natanz nuclear facilities.
Abbasi underlined that Iran intends to produce 20-percent enriched fuel in Fordo nuclear facilities under the IAEA supervision.
In November 2009, Iran announced about its plan to build ten new enrichment facilities 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.
Edited by T.Konyayeva