statement by spokesman on Iranian expansion of its enrichment program

U.K. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

April 8, 2008

'Iran has not only failed to suspend enrichment, but has chosen to ignore the will of the international community by announcing the installation of new centrifuges. This is despite the fact that Iran's enrichment programme has no apparent civilian purpose, and shows that Iran is making no effort to restore international confidence in its intentions. Iran continues to refuse to even consider the generous offer made by the E3+3 (UK, France, Germany, US, China and Russia), which includes guarantees of enriched fuel and support to develop a modern nuclear power programme.'

'We and the international community have continually made it absolutely clear to Iran that it should suspend all enrichment related activities, answer all the outstanding issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme and implement the additional protocol agreed with the IAEA as key steps to rebuild confidence. The IAEA Director General's report in February noted that Iran had failed on all three counts'.