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20 Nuclear Reactor Sites Planned for Iran

Tehran will not halt plans to produce its own supply of nuclear fuel. Iranian Parliament has requested the construction of 20 nuclear power plants. Russia has offered to lend its assistance to build more nuclear plants in Iran. Ali Larijani says, `We plan to construct two more nuclear power plants. We will do it through an international tender. It is part of meeting our electricity needs, it is not a secret issue.`

The Islamic Republic rejects suspicions that it is trying to enrich its military arsenal by making atomic bombs. However, International concern stems from Iran hiding its nuclear work from U.N. inspectors for 18 years until 2003.

The reactor program has been in the works since the 1970s and comes as part of government plans finally being realized. Iran has said its nuclear program will enrich uranium only to a level suitable for civilian atomic-power reactors. However, the United States and European Union worry Tehran will use the same technology to make bomb-grade material.