Iran accelerates nuclear program

TEHRAN, July 19 (UPI) -- Iran is installing a new generation of centrifuges in its nuclear facilities, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramim Mehmanparast said Tuesday.

Mehmanparast told the weekly press briefing the new centrifuges will help speed up the country's nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency said.

"By installing the new generation of centrifuges the country's progress in regard to its peaceful nuclear activities is being made with more speed and better quality," Mehr News Agency quoted him as saying.

The spokesman said the work is being carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is pushing ahead with its peaceful nuclear activities regardless of restrictions and the measures taken to halt them," Mehr quoted Mehmanparast as saying.

Last month Fereydoun Abbasi Davani, head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization, announced research work on the new centrifuges had been completed and 164 new generation centrifuges would soon be installed in the Natanz and Fordo enrichment facilities, Mehr said.