TEHRAN: Iran said on Friday it would launch a series of “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog that censures Tehran for what the agency called lack of cooperation.

The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany, and the United States at the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) follows a similar one in June.

It came as tensions run high over Iran’s atomic programme, with critics fearing that Tehran is attempting to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has repeatedly dismissed such speculation.

The resolution, which China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against, carried with 19 votes in favour, 12 abstentions and Venezuela not participating, two diplomats said.

Published in Dawn, November 23th, 2024