IRAN REPORTS NUCLEAR ADVANCE BEFORE TALKS

Iran announced what it called a major step forward in its nuclear programme on December 5, showing determination to pursue it a day before talks with world powers which fear Tehran may be seeking atom bombs. Nuclear energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran would use domestically produced uranium concentrates, known as yellowcake, for the first time at a key nuclear facility, cutting its reliance on imports of the key ingredient for nuclear fuel. “This means that Iran has become self-sufficient in the entire fuel cycle,” Salehi said. The announcement appeared timed to show Iran will not back down in a long-running row over its nuclear programme ahead of the Dec. 6-7 meeting in Geneva where six powers are seeking assurances its atomic ambitions are peaceful. Salehi told a televised news conference that the announcement meant “we will be taking part in the negotiations with strength and power.” He insisted the Geneva talks were for the benefit of the other countries, not Iran. “These talks are a way out of a political deadlock for the other side. We want to create a graceful solution out of the political deadlock for those who have pressurised us.”