Iran plans for new enrichment plants violate UN resolutions: White House

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The White House warned Sunday that the Iranian government's plans to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants were "serious violation" of UN Security Council resolutions.

"If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

"As the overwhelming IAEA board of governors vote made clear, time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear program," the statement said.

Iran's government ordered the Atomic Energy Organization to build 10 new uranium enrichment sites in the country, the state IRIB TV reported on Sunday.

Under the government decree, the Atomic Energy Organization will start the construction of five new uranium enrichment sites and will present its proposal for the locations of five others within two months, the report said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying that to produce 20,000 megawatt electricity, it is important to build 10 new nuclear enrichment sites at the scale of its main enrichment complex in the central city of Natanz.

The country also needs 500 centrifuges to generate the electricity required, Ahmadinejad said at a cabinet session, according to IRIB.

Iran is due to further discuss the production of the high-grade uranium of 20 percent purity on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad said. Iran's state news agency reported Sunday that the government has approved plans to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants.