Iran has denied reports in the United States it has a nuclear weapons programme and reaffirmed its right to use nuclear technology for civil means.
"Iran's objectives are very clear and peaceful," a foreign ministry spokesman said. He was reacting to reports from unnamed US officials on the CNN television channel that Iran is secretly building two nuclear plants which could be used to build nuclear weapons.
Iran considers "it is its right to use nuclear technology for peaceful means," the Iranian spokesman said.
Iran's nuclear activity "conforms with international conventions in place, as has been confirmed many times by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] observers," he added.
The two named sites, near the towns of Nantanz and Arak, were identified through satellite images taken in September by the private company, DigitalGlobe, said CNN, which aired the images. Officials told CNN they believed the sites to be refineries for enriched uranium, which could be weapons grade.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has yet to visit either site.
Until now the only known Iranian nuclear facility was in Bouchehr, which is expected to become operational in June 2004.
AFP