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| Australia condemns Iran's decision to enrich uranium to a higher level |
| 8 Feb 2010 |
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Australia has strongly condemned Iran's decision to enrich uranium to a higher level, which has heightened fears that the country wants to build nuclear weapons.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith called the move, announced over the weekend, a "serious provocation" that "risks testing the patience of the international community".
In a statement, he urged Iran to take up the UN International Atomic Energy Agency's offer to swap low-enriched uranium for processed fuel for its nuclear reactor, and suspend enrichment.
He said Australia and the international community were committed to diplomacy.
But he warned the international community will not wait indefinitely for Iran to fulfil its international obligations.
Iran's atomic chief announced yesterday that the country will start enriching uranium to 20 percent.
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