Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatens to cut off oil supplies to eight European nations immediately as his country claims a breakthrough its nuclear program
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad claimed on Thursday that his country has made a "nuclear breakthrough" as he presented the first Iranian-made nuclear fuel rod being inserted into a research reactor.
Tehran rattling nuclear fuel rods
On the back of the claimed advance in Iran's nuclear capabilities, Tehran has proposed a resumption of international nuclear talks. These talks, with world powers China, the United States, Russia, Germany, France and Britain, had collapsed following a fruitless meeting in Istanbul a year ago.
"Ready" for resumed nuclear talks with world powers
Now, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said in a letter to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton:
"We voice our readiness for dialogue on a spectrum of various issues which can provide ground for constructive and forward-looking cooperation," the letter read.
International sanctions
Iran's nuclear program has been the focal point of international concern amid fears the country would use its resultant nuclear capability for military purposes.
The controversy over Iran's nuclear programs centers in particular on Iran's failure to declare sensitive enrichment and reprocessing activities to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agency said in November it had information suggesting Iran had carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".
Facing international sanctions on its nuclear program including a planned oil embargo by Europe, Iran has now warned six European states yesterday that it plans to strike first by cutting off their Iranian oil supply immediately.
Immediate plans to cut-off Iranian oil supply to Europe
The European Union has been one of Iran's largest oil buyers, taking nearly one-fifth of total Iranian petroleum exports last year.
"Iran warns Europe it will find other customers for its oil," the Islamic Republic News Agency said.
"European people should know that if Iran changes destinations of the oil it gives to them, the responsibility will rest with the European governments themselves."
Chinese oil demand
Industry experts said China is likely to emerge as a significant buyer for Iran's oil should the planned cut-off go ahead. China is aiming to purchase nearly half a million barrels of oil per day in order to fill a newly completed strategic reserve storage facility, industry followers commented.
Source: Associated Press A defiant Iran Wednesday claimed advances on several fronts in producing its own nuclear fuel. The announcements come as Tehran's suspected shadow war with Israel was playing out in far corners of the globe. (Feb. 15)
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